Lots of Love - An update

We have been overwhelmed (in a wonderful way) by all the kind words of support and love through phone calls, texts, emails, messages, cards and other acts of kindness.  Thank you!  We feel so loved!

Dad's and Ron's surgeries reportedly went well and both are settled in and working on recovery.  Ron is on the floor and has had his first meal - Yay for food! So far, dad's new kidney seems to be working.  He is hoping they will move him off the Surgical ICU tomorrow and let him start eating and drinking.

Oops. I missed a few!

I finally figured out an easy way to transfer photos off of our phones and when I did, I found a treasure trove of pictures from the past 6 month.  Rather than go back through and figure out where they belong - they are all here - out of order - but posted for all posterity :)

June - Neighborhood Giant slip n' slide.  Spud loved it!

Super Sibling (and a good workout for mom)

Curly dolled up for a family outing

Spud and I roasting at a swim meet

LOTR fans - I wasn't ever there, but my cousin Tom's wedding

 cake was awesome!

We made super hero masks one day

Father's day

Lyssie and Berry

Camping = dirt

Trip to Idaho/ Utah - Petting zoo at the Scipio rest stop

Lou's bug bitten eye

July - Fisher went backpacking with his dad and brothers

Naked kitchen helper

October - Dad Lake on Fisher's Idaho fishing trip

Praying for Grandpa

Who needs a bunkbed?

Fisher's Halloween work theme was ninjas - he went as Fruit Ninja

November - Fall leaves with Grandpa Lake

Oma teaching us how to make German "Stolen"

Matching Christmas PJs

Crazy Christmas socks

Tomorrow is transplant day

My parents just went home after a quick weekend trip.   This visit was different than others because all of us know that an event for which we have been hoping and praying for for months will take place tomorrow.  

My dad started feeling ill this summer and quickly declined to the point that his medical doctor sense knew something was seriously wrong.  The diagnosis was end stage renal failure and within a week he had to begin dialysis to continue living.  After more research as to why this happened to a generally healthy 63 year old, it was discovered that his cancer treatment surgeries of 30 years ago had altered the way his body handled certain foods and he had been slowly poisoning himself with dark leafy green vegetables.  

This week my uncle and dad's younger brother is giving one of his kidneys to my dad.   There is no way to express the gratitude we feel for my uncle.  I also am amazed by the miracle of modern health care.   We are praying that all goes well and for a quick recovery for both uncle Ron and my dad.

On Saturday we were all able to visit with extended family in east valley attend the Gilbert Temple Open House.  Being in that beautiful building that represents eternal families I couldn't help but feel so grateful for the good family that I have and all the blessings that have come to me from being raised by good parents.