Sunday, May 30, 2010

Joe's Surgery


Joe had his surgery a little over a week ago! We went to the hospital early on Friday May 21st. (which also happened to be our 6 month anniversary) Joe was really nervous about all that was going to be done. I tried my best to comfort him and let him know everything would be fine. He wasn't too happy about me taking pictures, but he still let me do it so I could blog about it=)
This was right after we got there. They put us in this little room and had him change into his hospital gown
If that's not a dirty look, I don't know what is!=) Here he is in his gown. The nurse came and took his blood pressure and asked him a bunch of questions before a guy came and got him and took him up to a different floor to the anesthesiologist and the surgical rooms. I headed to the waiting room for about 3 hours before the doctor came out and told me everything went well and he was in recovery waiting to wake up. When they were ready to move him up to a different floor to stay overnight, they had me meet him and the nurse and we went up together. He was really sleepy, and kept saying he was in pain. They couldn't give him medication until he woke up a little bit more, but when they did he said he felt better. On a scale of 1 t0 10 he rated the pain at about a 7 after medication. His nose started to bleed, and they had this thing that went from ear to ear and held gauze under his nose. I had to change it every few hours. When I looked up his nose all I could see was dried blood, and wet blood in spots. He had splints up his nose (that he got out on Wednesday and can now tell a big difference in the amount of air he gets through his nose) and he said his throat felt like the worst sore throat ever. He couldn't even sip water in the beginning, and when he tried he just spit it up with a bunch of blood. I felt so bad watching him be in so much pain. I sat in a chair right next to his bed read while he was going in and out of sleep. He kept reaching over to hold my hand. He started with some ice chips, and later some ice cream. He hardly ate anything at all though. He said he wasn't hungry and it hurt too much to eat anything. When most people get their tonsils out they go home that day, but because the doctor did so many other things he wanted to monitor him overnight and make sure he was ok before he sent Joe home. He ended up getting a fever and staying another night. They needed him to get up and walk around to get his lungs to expand. The doctor was worried about fluid building up and causing pnemonia. He had to do deep breathing, and the doctor put him on oxycodone for the pain. The hardest thing was swallowing. He had a bunch of mucus build up and couldn't exactly get it up so the doctor brought in this machine like they have at the dentist that he would just close his lips around and it would suck everything up. It was pretty cool and helped out a ton!

This was the second day. He had gotten rid of the gauze under his nose by then and didn't look as bad. I felt bad taking a picture the first day because he was sleeping and looked so miserable.

Maggie, Dave, and Serena came to the Hospital to visit him on Saturday. They made a cute poster that we hung on the wall that brightened the room, and brought balloons and a homemade card. It was so nice to have them visit. Time seemed to pass quicker and it brightened Joe's spirit.
They left to go eat dinner and came back with a yummy dessert! Apple crisp and ice cream! It was SO good! We all ate dessert and then went for a walk with Joe. We went to the nursery to show Maggie the babies, and then strolled around the hospital.
Thanks SO much for coming to visit! It totally brightened our day and meant a lot to Joe.

Joe is doing much better. He still experiences moments of extreme pain (usually at night when his throat dries up while he sleeps) but everything is healing well. His throat scabbed and they have fallen off now. He is eating more than just soup and ice cream now. He has lot 16 pounds!! He really appreciates all the calls and texts. Hopefully in about another week he will be completely back to normal and able to sleep better and have more energy! Thank you for all your prayers on his behalf!

Michael's Visit



Thursday May 13th, Tiff called and said that Michael was flying out to visit his brother and asked if Joe and I would be able to pick him up from the airport. He got in late and decided to just spend the night with us. We really enjoyed getting to spend a little bit of time with him. It was cool to have him over. It seemed surreal that he was really in Texas=) Tiff said she was used to being the one traveling and doing fun stuff and not being the one stuck at home=) We wished she could have come too. She was telling Michael all that he needed to do and eat while he was here. We had to take a picture of him in the guest bedroom because Tiff had told him all about the "Taco Bed" and how comfortable she was when she slept in it when she was here. So, this picture's for you Tiff!

We loved having you Michael. Any time you want to come to Texas you have a place to stay=)

Grandpa's Visit


Joe's grandpa flew to Texas from Minnesota to visit the family a few weeks ago. He got to see his kids, grandkids and great grandkids! Sharon, Shelby, and I had never met him so it was great to finally do so! His health is deteriorating and Bob and Sharon wanted to get him out here at least one more time. On Saturday we had a bbq here at the pool at our apartments. Of course, the one day we plan to do something at the pool it had to rain. Luckily we had rented the cabana area at our pool and it was covered. Joe was grilling in the rain, and the grill was so slow that we eventually took everything back to our apartment and pulled out almost every pan we own, plus our griddle to get everything cooked. Maggie, Joe, James, and I all went swimming and had a blast.

Everyone visiting and enjoying themselves. Bob and Sharon, Dave, Serena, and Maggie, James and Shelby, Bob's Mom and her friend, Bob's sister-in-law and her grandchild, Bob's sister, grandpa, and Joe and I were all there. We had a lot of fun just visiting. It ended up being good that it rained because it was a lot cooler for those that didn't want to swim. Those that wanted to swim still did!=) I should have taken more pictures of everyone, but I was focusing on helping Joe get the food done!


Bob and Debbie (his sister-in-law)

Maggie enjoying her soda

Joe grilling in the rain. He put two umbrellas over by the grill to try and keep covered. We were both totally soaked by the time we got the food cooked.

Bob, Sharon, and Grandpa stayed Saturday and Sunday nights with us. Joe got him to play the wii! He bowled and did awesome! It was fun to watch him. What a sport!=)

Watching grandpa at times broke my heart. He reminded me a lot of Zsa during her final months. He had a terrible time breathing sometimes and would take a while to catch his breath. Our guest bed was too soft for him so we made the couch up. He needed pillows to prop him up to stay comfortable. He likes sleeping with the tv on so we left it on all night for him. I found myself worrying about him and cracking our bedroom door open several times during the night just to look out and check on him. Sometimes he was sleeping sitting up because he could breath better. Just like Zsa did, he kept saying how awful it was to get old. Being around him really made me miss Zsa. Things just reminded me of her and the struggles she faced. It's just hard to watch someone struggling.
I took this picture at about 6am monday morning before Joe took grandpa to the airport. Apparently Joe was still asleep=) ha ha!

We enjoyed the weekend with family, and I'm really grateful that I got to meet Joe's grandpa!


Thursday, May 20, 2010

My Visit Home

Well, I realized today that it has been a long time since I have blogged. I just haven't really felt like doing it for some reason, but today I am making myself sit down and do it=)


I got the wonderful chance to fly home May 6-10! I was debating a few months ago whether I was going to wait until July to see Korver for the first time, or whether I was going to fly out soon after he was born. I decided that I just couldn't miss seeing him when he was tiny! Im so glad my sweet husband understands my needs and let me book the flight. (actually, he even booked it for me!) They day Korver was born, I couldn't help but wish so badly that I was there! My sweet dad kept me updated the whole time through text! I must have asked him a million questions after he told me he could hear Korver crying through the door, and he was finally here! He and my mom and others sent pictures to my cell phone and it really helped me not feel so sad that I couldn't be at the hospital. He was born on April 22, and every day up until I got to see him I just felt so excited that I would soon get to hold him! My flight landed around 11:30pm on Thursday and my sister got off of work around then, and came to my parents' house to have a sleepover! I always have to thank her husband after I leave because I basically steal Tiff away while I'm there! We are inseperable whenever we're together now that we don't get to see each other often! Anyways, so Friday morning we woke up and got ready and she took me to Britt's to see the baby. Joseph had already left for San Diego for the summer to sell alarm systems so I didn't get to see him. Here are pictures of the first moments I got to hold the little guy!






This moment was as wonderful as I thought it would be! He is SO tiny and so precious! He looks so much like my brother. He is such a good baby, and Britt is such a good mom. She was so good about answering any questions Tiff or I had, and helped us feel more excited to be mothers ourselves one day.

Look at that sweet little face! I just love him so much! It seems like I have waited forever to have a niece or nephew on my side of the family, and he's such a little miracle!


After holding Korver for a while I went with Britt to their new home! She had been staying with her parents since Joseph left. Their home is so pretty! I forgot to take pictures of it.


After that Tiff, my mom, and I went to run errands. We were throwing Brittany A Griffin (Dallin's wife) a baby shower on Saturday and needed to get food, decorations, and gifts. We headed to the Costco I used to work at to get the food so I could see everybody! I was SO excited to see my best friend Ashley! She was supervising on the front end that day and her face just lit up when she saw us walking towards her! It's been hard being away from her! We have been best friends since 5th grade. It was so fun to see her, and the other people from work that I have missed. I never dreamt I would miss those people that I worked with as much as I do. I got to work with some really awesome people!






We had to take a picture of the three of us in the car running errands. Ha ha look at my cute mom in the backseat! Gotta love her!=) We had a lot of fun, and got everything done!



That night Tiff, Michael, and I went to Cafe Rio (that's the only restaurant I've really missed) and got an awesome salad! Tiff was craving cookies after dinner so we went to Village Baker and got some yummy cookies!






After we got our cookies, we headed to the movies to see "The Backup Plan." Tiff and I both wanted to see it, so we decided to wait until we were together to see it. It was a big let down, but it was still fun to be with Tiff and Michael.



On Saturday afternoon we threw Britt a baby shower! It was so much fun, and turned out great!









The two Britts and Brittany A's Mom! She looks just as young as they do!=)

She is so adorable! I loved getting to see her baby belly! SOOOO cute! We had a lot of fun throwing the shower, and getting to see everyone! She got a ton of cute stuff! Now, we just can't wait for the little guy to get here! Love ya Britt!

Ashley and baby Korver
Tiff, and Harlow! Is she not one of the cutest babies you have ever seen?

Look at those blue eyes! I had so much fun with her. This is my cousin Dee and his fiance Courtney's sweet baby girl! I just love her!!!

On Sunday I went to church with Michael and Tiff. Michael was called to be the second counselor in the bishopric of one of the singles wards in Provo. He was conducting that Sunday so I got to see him do that, and it was really fun to go with Tiff.

This was the view! I LOVE the mountains! It was so fun to be so close to them down there! Thanks for letting me go with you Tiff and Michael! I had a blast!

On the way to my parents' house after church we stopped by the cemetary where my grandma is buried. I hadn't seen the headstone since it was placed on her grave. I have missed her so much, and I felt at peace while we were there.

For Mother's Day dinner dad grilled steaks and made a wonderful meal! I hadn't had a steak for a long time! He marinades them, and they are THE BEST!!!!

This was the complete meal. Carrots and peas, beats, beat tops (first time I tried those) from the garden, baked potato, and steak! YUMMY!
This was before we all sat down. Mom and Michael with Dad in the background.
I forgot to take pictures when she opened cards and gifts. All the kids usually have a contest to see who can get mom to cry with the sweetness of their card. =) ha ha! Well, this year she cried when she read the in-law's cards!! I hope she had a good day! I didn't even realize it was Mothers Day when my flight was booked, but it was really nice to be there with her!

On Monday morning Dallin came over and we cooked breakfast together! He's so fun to be around. He's always positive and happy!

After breakfast I finally got to see the basement! My dad has been working on finishing the kitchen area in the basement. He would not let me go downstairs until he was completely finished. It turned out so well! The pictures don't really do it justice. He got these really cute barstools, and everything is just beautiful!


My mom wanted to get a picture because she helped my dad a little bit.

Dallin helped a lot! He persuaded my dad to flex for their picture together! ha ha So funny! Their arms are about the same!=)

I really enjoyed my visit! It's hard being away from Joe, but so good to see my family and friends! I'm SO excited for July when he gets to go with me! Thank you everyone for making my visit so much fun!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Weekend with Bob and Sharon


Last weekend Bob and Sharon came Friday night and stayed until Saturday. Joe got tickets to the Astros game from work so they met us there. We had a fun night and the Astros even won! They have fireworks after the game on Friday nights and that was a lot of fun to watch! It's been a while since I've seen a fireworks show.


On Saturday Bob and Sharon wanted to go to a gun show downtown to purchase a couple guns, so Joe and I decided to go with them. I had never been to anything like that! Just tables and tables of guns everywhere! They didn't allow photography of any kind inside so I just got a picture of Bob and Sharon outside the convention center with their goods!

We love when they come visit! We had a lot of fun staying up and watching the Jazz game late Friday night! It's always fun when Bob and Sharon come! We love you guys!