Darrin's Mom

Many of you may have heard that Darrin's mom, Nelda, had a stroke on saturday the 15th. That was the initial diagnosis, however, after 3 days in the hospital, they are leaning toward something else. She has only one side effect, that they can tell, and that is that she cannot remember saturday at all. She is home now and we will see how things go. Darrin spent the 3 days staying with his dad who has late stage Parkinsons. It seems as though everything will be back to normal soon. Our weekend was so intensely emotional that we are all exhausted. Our family and Brooks and Janiel raked the leaves at Mom and Dad's and then I stayed and did Mom's hair. She was very emotional and not feeling well. She said she was crying because someone sympathyed (?) Later we got a frantic call from Darrin's sister asking if Darrin could drive to Miami to stay with his dad while his mom was in St. Joe's in Phoenix. This was while we were driving to our ward Christmas party. I was supposed to lead 2 choir numbers and direct the YW on the handbells. I'm afraid I was a bit of a mess for the first 10 minutes, but I recovered and made it through. Thanks for all the calls of concern for Nelda, it was very touching to have my family be so caring for my in-laws. 2008 has to be easier. Right?

The Count-Down Begins

Dallin finished at ASU for the semester and has moved back home to get ready to leave on his mission. It all feels unreal at the moment, but I'm sure it will sink in soon. Everyone is so excited to have him back. I think he is too. We are still determining a Temple and non-Farewell date, but will let everyone know ASAP. It all kind of depends on my mothers' health. Dallin really wants to have her there with him. Just can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner. I guess I better get busy. Visit us again soon!

Volleyball Awards Night.

Emily had her Volleyball awards banquet last night, and she came away with a ton of awards. Some of them we knew about, but some we didn't. Here they are in order. Best All Around Player-1,017 on target sets, played every position during every single game. Season team record. 20-2.
3A Conference All State Honors Team. 3A South All Region Team. 3A South Volleyball Player of the Year. 3A South All Star Team. (They will play in June.) And our favorite of the evening was the shirt the JV coach gave her. Emily was the brunt of most of Coach Ward's yelling all season. When the JV coach asked her how she could be so calm when she was yelled at she said, "All I hear is BLAH, BLAH, BLAH." Check out the picture. It was really Em's night and well deserved. Way to go Em!

Mandy, Emily, and Bea.

Emily and Jesse.

Wonder What I Do?

As you know, I am leaving the hair business soon, but I wanted you to see a few of my favorite clients and what I do to them every week. These first too are sisters: Stella and Lucille, 90 and 92 respectively. They are a riot. Stella is outspoken, funny, sarcastic and boisterous.

Lucille is demure, ladylike, softspoken, and proper. They come together every friday and we have the best time. I will miss them immenseley.

This is Denise. She is an old friend of Darrin's mom Nelda. She is the art teacher at Safford Middle School. She comes every week too, but also gets color, highlights, deep conditioners, etc. She likes to pamper herself. She is very fun. These pictures are to help them "train" a new stylist. (one of the emotional drags of doing hair is the dependence they feel toward me.) I hope to get a Christmas card to all of you soon, but I am not promising anything. So.. if you don't get one. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

5 Hour Flight to Vegas!

Believe it or not, it took us 5 hours to get to Vegas on friday. The Vegas airport was closed for that length of time because of low visibility. Yuck. We could have driven in less time. Oh well, we had a good time anyway. Talk about a lot of food. The AUGA (Darrin's Utility Group) sure spares no expense. I think we ate enough for 2 weeks. It was yummy though. We got to spend Sunday with Steve and Liz and Lisa and John. That was nice. Our flight home was delayed as well, because of connecting flights from Minneapolis who had a huge snow storm. Talk about Gordon luck. Darrin just started year #7 as bishop of our ward and of course it is Tithing Settlement time, so....our family picture was taken at the church again.

This year it is outside instead of in Darrin's office. Happy Holidays to everyone and thanks for noticing us.

Hypocrite!

I am a slacker. I hate it when a blog is left un-updated for long periods....and I am the most guilty. Sorry. It has been a hectic and emotional week. Anyway...Here are Grandma U's latest cancer rationale:
"I won't have to have any more mamograms, yuck."
"I won't have to get my teeth cleaned again." (?)
" I will be able to take off my hair at night and put it on my dresser."

I know it seems a bit morbid, but she really does have this great attitude about it all. She has not let any of this slow her down or change her at all.
Yesterday she watered the lawn and hauled in the two huge garbage cans, and had a knock-down, drag-out with Grandma C. I hope those two survive each other. Truthfully, I think they are both trying to deal with the new "future" and are frustrated that maybe the mother will out live the daughter. Darrin and I are off to Vegas today for a board meeting/pampering get away. We hope to see both Steena and Wisa's families. TTFA

I'm Retiring!

I am retiring from the hair business. My hands just hurt too much to continue and my family needs me at home. So....I will still do family, but nothing else. My last day will be Dec. 21. I am at the same time, sad and happy. Odd. We are excited for everyone coming to Thanksgiving. I hope we can do all of our old traditional games and activities in a different locale. I will post pictures after. Any good books out there? I have read several, but none worth sharing. The triathlon is looming again and I have begun the arduous task of staffing. Anyone interested? You don't have to live here to help. Anyone? It will be held on April 18-19,2008 in Safford this year. EAC has closed its facilities to the public. We try to have the online registration up by early December. You would be suprised at how many have desired to register already. But first....I must get Dallin outfitted for his mission!!! Later

These two shouldn't sit next to each other....

Just had to share this. All you football fans out there will love it.

Hilarious.

3A State Volleyball All Tournament Member

Emily was named as a member of the All Tournament team at state. This picture was taken during their first game by the official photographer. She was playing every position; setter, hitter, back row defense and blocking. Her coach has told the local paper that she will be very difficult to replace.

This is a shot from the recent San Diego County fires. Amazing how beautiful this tragic scene is.

IT FINALLY CAME

After spending an exciting and exhausting weekend watching Volleyball (they lost in the semi-finals-so sad), Dallin and Dena came home with us, just for fun. Well....the call was waiting for us in the mail box. Dallin called some friends over (at midnight) and he opened it. ................

Texas, Fort Worth Spanish speaking. He leaves Jan 16, 2008. Yehaw. He is excited. We are excited. Fun for Dallin to have his friends here at the big moment. Check out the moment on the video. My eyes won't stay open any longer. Good night.