Sensory Overload!

You saw this crazy quilt in an earlier post--one of my friends called it "intense." We put Reese on it the other day, and she went crazy. She looked from one side to the other, and was so happy to be on Grandma's quilt! What a cutie!

Three Generations of Fathers

Jake--new dad in 2008, Marlow--new dad in 1955, Kirt--new dad in 1983

Today is Father's Day. I hosted three fathers at my home for dinner. Jake is the newest dad, with Reese born on January 31, 2008. He is a great dad. He's not afraid of dirty diapers, slobber, or late night. He loves his little Reese. When we hear the garage door open around 5pm (Jake, Lindsay, and Reese are living with us for the summer while Jake is doing an internship), we tell Reese, "Your daddy is home!", and Reese just beams and is so happy!

Marlow has been a dad since 1955. He is a wonderful father to his four children, Mike, Carrie Lou, Kirt and Bart, and loves their spouses (Peggy, Ron, me, and Kirsten) as is they were his own. He is also an outstanding grandfather to 9 grandchildren, and now has 5 great-grandchildren. He is quick to help (we know, he's bailed us out many a time!) and is a joy to have around.

Kirt became a dad in 1983 when Jacob was born, and again in 1985, with the additions of Mackenzie and Malorie. He always has time for his kids, no matter how busy he is. He is a wonderful counselor, but doesn't give advice unless he's asked. Kirt has a great sense of humor, and also loves Lindsay, Tyler and Jon as if they were his own. Kirt recently became a grandfather when Jake became a dad.

We are blessed to have wonderful fathers in our lives. My dad recently passed away on May 27, 2008, and I am thankful for all he taught me, and how he loved me. Here is a favorite photo of us taken on December 24, 2003.

What a Week!

Well, actually three weeks! We had a wonderful week in San Diego with our kids and Reese, the world's cutest baby. We made it back to Boise, and it's always good to be home.

Monday morning, 5:30 am, the phone rang, it was Marquis, the place where my dad lives. He wasn't doing so well, so we hurried down to see what was going on. He wasn't doing well, and 24 hours later, he passed away. I was grateful to be by his side when he went.

Wednesday, Kirt and I celebrated 27 years of marriage!
Malorie and Jon moved into our garage, and into Mal's room.

Funeral plans were made, phone calls made and answered.

Thursday night Mackenzie and Tyler got into town, but we didn't see them til Friday morning. Steve and Janalee and family got into town at 9:30 pm.

Saturday morning was my dad's funeral. We held it at Kristie's ward, with Bishop Mark conducting. It was a beautiful thing. Most of my dad's friends are gone now (he was 90), but there were still several who came to pay their respected, and I very much appreciated their attendance. Pam gave the family prayer, Diane Bleazard Campbell was the organist. Michelle was the chorister. Dianna gave the opening prayer, Mike gave the life sketch. Erin, Lesley, Stacey, Stefanie, and Lindsay sang "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", with Mackenzie on flute and Malorie on violin. Kristie spoke next, then Jim gave the closing prayer. Steve dedicated the grave. We went back to Kristie's ward for a nice lunch. All of Dad's grandsons were there (13) but the ones that are currently serving missions. Almost all but two of his other grandkids were there. He left quite a legacy.

It was a good, but long day.

Sunday, Steve and Janalee and family, then Tyler and Mackenzie left.

Monday, Mal and Jon left for Europe.

Still tons of calls to make and return.

Yesterday, we brought 5 of my Laurel girls up to McCall for an overnighter. Today they left, and Jake and Lindsay and Reese are expected any minute. It's nice to have a day to breathe and relax.

Tomorrow, back to work!

San Diego for the Injured and Easy to Please

We spent the week together as a family in San Diego to celebrate the college graduations of Jake, Lindsay, Jonathan, Malorie, Tyler and (almost) Mackenzie. What a great accomplishment for them all. They are all on to new adventures, and so this might be the last time we could get them all together at the same time. However, the long-ago planned trip was in jeopardy when Kirt broke his leg (see below). During the first weeks of his pain and crutches, he wasn't sure "vacation" is what he could handle. Undeterred, his kids convinced him he could do it and they helped along the way to make it a pleasant week, and not "Mom's time in the kitchen." Then, Jonathan ran a marathon the day before leaving (GREAT JOB! and Mal & Kenzie ran 1/2 Marathons!!!!), but had blisters so bad, they made the tough queezy, and surgeons take things into their own hands (literally). While he required a wheelchair at the airport in SLC, and he coveted my crutches the first few days, he was a trooper. He got some liquid bandages (aka rubber cement) and even went to the beach.

And yes, it was good for Kirt. I swam in the pool (once I crawled over to the edge and carefully lowered myself in like a walrus), which was a form of physical therapy.

We were so healthy the first time to Costco, and bought only cashews for snacks. When the Marathoners arrived, who we thought would be so health conscious, Malorie announced they wanted snacks like mini chocolate candy bars and peanut M&Ms. She said she just ran 13 miles and deserved to have treats. We cured our lack of foresight, and all were happy.

Lorrie and I didn't go to the Padres game because of my lack of mobility. But we did what she loves to do, and that is ride the TRAIN!! It didn't matter where we went (Old Towne San Diego), just so long as we went by rail. It was a fun ride, and we ate some great homemade tortillas upon arrival. (It cost $10 roundtrip. She is such a cheap date.)

All in all, it was a relaxing and enjoyable trip. I am grateful for our kids who all (6) did their part to cook, clean and organize, so all could have fun. Reese was a jewel and loves her Grandpa Naylor.

Re-Roosting

Jake, Lindsay and REESE (the Grand, Granddaughter) have returned to the homestead. Jake finished his first year in law school, and has an internship in Boise with a district judge. Shortly, Malorie and Jonathan will move in while they await the big move to Portland to start dental school. So, while we have been empty nesters, we joyfully and willingly give up that title for a time while we enjoy adult slave laborers and spoiling our Reese. Seriously, we enjoy our kids and we'll have a blast. Mackenzie is off to NYC for an internship with Martha Stewart Living! and Tyler will be in Buffalo to work again with ADD/ADHD kids. They will be 5 hours apart for a couple of months.

Jonathan and Tyler graduated from BYU, and we are very proud of them.

Malorie confessed on her blog about her unintended exposure to the world of Star Trek and Star Wars. However, I believe she truly accepted the allegorical learning and parables presented by those scientific genres. As I crutch around with a "narly" brace on my leg that has a dial to control how much ROM I have, it reminds me of the Borg: part man, part machine.

Well, we're in for a great Summer.

Magneto & Titanium Man or Not for the Squeamish or Son of Frankenstein

Doctor Update: Kirt is scarred. Yes, those are metal staples. And now they are gone (a slightly scary and "bee sting feeling" event), but I came through it. I'm sure there will be a scar. If you look closely at the X-rays, you can see the staples. Good news is I can put some "walking weight" (about 10-15 lbs) on the leg and can walk with along with the crutch. I have this brace that will allow me to bend 90 degrees for now, and may expand that in a couple of weeks. So, I can bend it enough to get into the front seat of the car and that means driving is next. Good things are coming. I may be limited in what I can do, but I'm still going to go to San Diego with the kids in May. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

It's not because I'm old . . . I'm not arrogant!

When we told our neighbor we were only now going to put hand rails in our shower we just remodeled last Fall, but didn't put hand rails in, she accused us of being so arrogant. Did we really think an accident wouldn't happen and one of us might not ever slip in the shower? Just as a safety precaution, we should have put them in. We had the reinforcements built in, but now with my limitations, we figured it was time to install. Nick, our contractor who did our remodel had tried to convince me back then to also install a "tall throne" toilet, but I hesitated. He said the high level makes it an easy sit, and the super flush eliminates all sized small animals with one "swoosh." Nick has these in his house, and his toddlers just have to climb higher, he says. With an immobile left leg, he had my attention now. And, let me tell you, I know why they call it a throne. I feel like royalty. Luckily, Lorrie has long enough legs to reach the floor or she might be relegated to the guest bath. We can now sell the house to an old couple . . . oops, that is us . . . (an older couple)!

The coolest thing about the toilet lid is it is safety hinged. So, when you start it closing, it slowly closes like the auto-door closers in buildings. No slamming the lid, nor getting your fingers caught. Some thought photos were too much. So, we pulled them to spare your tender concerns.

Thanks!

I just want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and expressions of concern. This has truly been quite an ordeal but I think everyone has weathered this well, and we shall see how it has grounded our faith, and given us new understanding about those things that are most meaningful in life. It has taught us patience, perserverence, and perspective.

I am sure you all are aware that the event that has changed our marriage forever is the ride down from Bogus Basin, with Lorrie at the wheel, while Kirt (suffering excruciating physical pain) managed to allow her to drive in peace. (Well, almost.) But it truly was revelatory.

But seriously folks, thanks for all your thoughtfulness. Dad built me a ramp to make getting in and out of the house much easier. Others have brought me delicious eats or equally important thoughtful expressions of interest. To all, I say, Thank You.