Great Daughter in Law

Julia Rose Little Adams

 I am living with an incredible daughter-in-law. She is very nurturing to her children and does many activities with them. Many times I have come home to find her outside with her kids in the back yard. Earlier this week, she packed up the girls to drive over to Michael's work just in case he needed a cable to the computer he brought. She knew how important his project was to him and didn't want him to stall. I love to see them cuddle watching, "The Great British Baking Show".

She can research anything you want to know about and has found the top-of-the-line in strollers and other hardware she wants to use. Two years ago, she researched the best way to stop her daughter's tantrums. As a result, her daughter is one of the nicest kids in her pre-school with very good reviews from every teacher.  This research ability really paid off about three weeks ago when she decided she was finished with her stomach issues. She looked up causes for stomach inflammation, which sent her down a road to gluten intolerance. Wow, she found she hit every symptom. She decided she didn't need to get tested as all she had to do was stop eating any wheat products. Within two days her health started to improve and in a week was a new woman! She has more energy, is not as lethargic, and doesn't have the joint pain and stomach issues of the past.

Ever since I've been home, I've watched her on her school degree quest. Julia uses her research skills constantly in her homework.  She is determined to get her degree by this December. In order to do so, all her work has to be turned in by the 23rd of November. Just two classes to finish -- but one has a real stickler as a professor who wants lots of extra work. We'll have to see what happens! I'm banking on Julia as she always finds a way to accomplish what she wants.

Imagination is a powerful thing

 The girls and I went over to the 99¢ store but they got waylaid by the riding toys out front. They jumped out of the stroller and got on the non-moving toys. I told them I did not have any quarters to make either one move. They just played in their imagination for almost 20 minutes on the toys that did not move. 

I found a place in the shade to wait but they were mostly in the sun. I couldn't really tell what their "story" was but each were in their own zone. We finally did go in to the store and got what we wanted. On the way out they stopped again, but I told them only a minute because we had Isla's package to unwrap when we got home (fortunately!)

Mike and Carol

 Before we left for Accra, Mike had told us he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease -- just like his dad. I am not sure if he had gone a long time without the diagnosis or if he is losing ground faster than his father. But I was surprised to see how different he looked and acted from two years ago. He does not drive a car and does not go on hikes by himself. This must be so frustrating for a man who could pick up and go by himself all over the place. He is very fortunate that Sarah, his daughter lives close by and is willing to go places with him.

The shock I had on this particular visit, was to find out that Carol had a cancer, she had treatments, and her hair has grown back in again. WHAT?! Talking about my angst on the car ride home, Jeffrey said, "Oh I'm sorry, I thought you knew." If I had I would definitely have been praying for her and hopefully written a letter or two while we were gone. She looked good though she felt she did not because she didn't have her hair done and beautiful clothes on. I thought she looked like a cuddly grandma, just right. 

When I got back home and was talking with Matthew about not knowing what is happening in my own family, he said, "You know mom, I am sad that is happening. I have been so wrapped up in keeping my head above water during this residency that I don't know what is happening to my own brothers and sisters." We talked for a bit on how to keep in touch with family members -- then made a date to meet.

I am hoping Jeffrey and I can go back and visit Mike and Carol soon. 

Susie's love

 Susie let us stay on her comfortable king size bed while she slept on a cot in her office. I was a little dismayed but she says it is very comfortable with a deep foam on it. She says it is always set up in case Jackie wants to come and use it for the night or a few days. I'm glad Jackie didn't need it while we were visiting.

After the second session of conference and before the next meeting, Susie and I headed off to look at blessing dresses. Jeffrey headed off for a hike in the canyon. 

 I had used a glue for Tracey's blessing dress on the tears and it made long blotches on the clear material. Not good. So I was in a little bit of a panic to find a solution or more importantly a dress. 

Three stores later we found the perfect dress. It was a little like her grandmother's in that it was short and ruffled. Susie always comes through on the things I need:)

I love the fact that they treated it just like a wedding dress - with care.

Watching the conference sessions with Susie was a blessing. The messages were powerful and motivating. Being with Susie makes those impressions and ideas practical as she asks what I'm going to do and has ideas of how to make it happen. She showed me how her grandma bag that she takes with her works. She helped me set up my own with a few of the things that she uses.  I love being with Susie!

Genetics

 Susie has a condition in her hands that is called Vikings Disease or  Dupuytren's contraction. It's a gradual tightening and thickening that causes the tendons to not straighten but gradually contract. 

This is very tough to witness as one she is my sister, and two, Susie is the one who is always helping a neighbor, friend, sister, brother, or stranger. I cannot remember a time when she wasn't doing something little special something for someone else. She would drop off little gifts and cards to grumpy widows and eventually became their friends. She spends time and brings over meals or treat to the couple next door and always knows when someone on the street needs something. She quietly brought over meals to a widower when all the relatives had left. Other people found out and started a system of taking care of him. She is a doer of good things. This is hard.

But Susie stays optimistic and says there seems to be new treatments and creams coming out that may (or may not) help or minimize the damage. Interesting proof of ancestors....

Susie and her little buddy Rudy

Walks with family

 Twin Falls is such a beautiful place to hike up and down the canyon if you are looking for strenuous or you can walk around the rim for a nice stroll. There has been some really good planning for paved walk way with gorgeous views of the volcanic rock, river, and falls. 

All the girls went for a stroll around the rim while Jeffrey set out on a hike. Rebekah and Rachel had a sisters walk and Susie and I had a sisters walk. We were so sad when Susie and Rachel had to leave.

Susie and I walking back. Actually I was afraid Susie was going to fall because of something off with her knee, so I held her hoping to give her some support.

I felt so relaxed with a sweet feeling in Rebekah's home. Time seemed almost irrelevant. Later we toured a museum of the early days in Twin Falls. But alas I only took Marco Polo videos to show our adventures so I have no pictures of the cool things we saw. The wooden merry-go-round was really cool. I enjoyed the small room school house and we went over lots of history of the early ways people lived and things they used.

It was really sobering to come across a telephone booth as a history item. I grew up with them all around and it wasn't until Andrew was in middle school that they stopped showing up in places around town because so many people had cell phones. It's a little weird and eye opening to be part of the "old" crowd. Experienced is ok, but outdated is not!

Then we went down to another canyon place with a tributary to the main river. It was beautiful too. I love watching Rebekah and Mike and how they interact with each other.

It was so nice to hang out with Mike and Rebekah. I lost track of days and was surprised when Jeffrey said we would be heading back. I know Rebekah and I had a walk along the canyon rim one day and walked to the place where Evel Knievel jumped the canyon rim (but didn't make it). We walked up the ramp and talked about Rebekah's plans for the future and her history for the last few years.  Most of the up close action of the ramp is on Marco Polo, so I only have a long distance shot of walking to the ramp and another of how close the temple is to the walkway leading to the canyon rim. We went back to the restaurant that we went to two months the last time we came, for a fantastic meal. The left overs in the house were divine. Good food, good walks, good chats! On Saturday we watched one session of conference with them and then drove back to Ogden in between and listened to the first of the second session on the radio. I can't wait to go back....another two months?

Walking to Evel Knievel's ramp

The temple is so close though this shot is deceptive as the path doesn't actually go to the temple.

Oh, one other thing....we went one of the days to visit with Mike's dad. We had a really nice chat visiting and touring his home in Kimberly - very close to Twin Falls. Mike's two brothers were there also.

Becka and Mike went over to talk with his grandpa who lives just next door. His grandpa is a very hard worker and was taking out all the weeds in this field.

We walked around the house chatting and talking and toured inside too.

The Night Continues

 Rebekah and Mike had high quality ice-cream bars with chocolate and raspberry and chocolate and vanilla for an after dinner treat. We cleaned up just a bit, then Uncle Ray and Aunt Carol arrived. Uncle Ray didn't miss the great barbecue dinner though it wasn't warm anymore and we all sat around for hours talking around the McGoveran's outdoor table. It had a warm flame that created enough heat to keep everyone comfortable.

Uncle Ray told a story of his soldier days. I am not sure if he was drafted or decided to sign up so he would have a little more control over his enlistment. He told us a story I had never heard before about his boot camp. He took some tests with about 100 others and passed it. Only a third of the men made it. He took another test and only about 10 made it. His last test he passed and was qualified to be a fighter pilot. He only had to sign....his wife did not want him to fly in Viet Nam and did not want him to sign. I think Uncle Ray felt he would be protected if he did sign up, but did not want to worry his wife with their small children. Interesting to hear about the lives of relatives from an adult view...

He did go on to tell some really cool stories where he felt the hand of the Lord and how his life was protected and guided. They have both had a really wonderful life and great joy with their big family.

Jeffrey and I talked a little about our missions and told a few stories too. It was a really good night.

Life is so Good!