1st Anniversary

What a year!!!!

A year ago at this I was out of surgery and had a new heart beating so strong it was rocking my body!

So, what all has taken place in the past year that I believe would be seen as a miracle.

*Ro and his family

*Kira and Sergio arrive in the states

*Derek gets home from his mission the same week I  get my new heart

*May 13, 2010 I get the awaited phone call "They have a heart for me"

*May 14, 2011 Transplant of a new heart is a success.

*Feeling a Love for a complete stranger and their family.

*My understanding of Miracles.

*Feeling the prayers from so many people and faiths

*10 days after transplant I am able to leave the hospital

*Lene spending mother's day with me in Utah

* Miss Celes arrives, Our first grand baby

*We find out that another grand baby will be coming in February.

*Having energy to do anything...so we checked out as much as we wanted to in Utah.

*Well enough for an apartment.

*Lene and family spend the whole summer, they didn't have to leave after a week!!!

*Going HOME!

*I truly fall in love again.

*Green Cards

*I get to enjoy Holidays, and remember them!

* Miss H joins our family

and the miracles continue to be a part of our life's.

To my blogging friends THANK YOU

for all of your words of encouragement, your prayers and your friendship.

I have had an amazing year and you have all been a very big part of it.

Now to start on year 2....

What Do I Say?

In just 3 days it will be my one year anniversary with this new,

little, amazing heart.

I was told that I can write a "gratitude" letter to my donors family.

They will get to choose if they respond or if I get to know more about my donor besides the basics ie:

 male or female, age, where they were from, ect.

I have been thinking about this for a year and now that it is here~ I do not know how to say what is in my heart.

I am crying just doing this blog.

How do I tell someone that maybe the worst day of their life was the most amazing day of mine.

How do I thank them.

How do I share my feelings?

How do I tell them the  things I have been able to experience because of their loved one?

I do not know where to start,

I know this will sound really strange, but I think my heart is missing them this week.

I have not had tears in about a year, but this week I have cried allot.

What do I  say to the people that are part of my hero's life?

What do I say?

Dear Donor Family,

I wish I could put my feelings and thoughts into words...

Post Mother's Day

I hope your Mother's Day was as sweet as mine.

I  enjoyed having all of my children and my granddaughters at the house to hang out.

Kirk made his awesome finger steaks with potato salad, rolls. Just a yummy meal.

(Eaten before I thought to take a picture)

But, I was craving pie with strawberries and chocolate or was I really craving cheese cake.

I wasn't sure and because I don't mind making pies, as soon as I got home from church and before the kids arrived and Kirk got done with  his meetings

I took care of my cravings....



Cheese Cake with cooked strawberry sauce



Fresh Strawberry Pie



Chocolate Mousse Cream Pie

Yep, I had all my craving ready to be taken care of...
What more could you want...
A great family and realllly good food.

Mom's It Is Your Day

Wishing all of you a wonderful Mother's Day!

WAMMO, MAMMO

If you are over 40 years old and these pictures don't make your skin crawl

 and your stomach feel like it is turning inside out, then read on...

Sorry the pictures are not to clear, they are taken on my phone.



phone pictue



The Mammogram By Julia Napier©

For years and years they told me,
Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever squeeze or bruise them.
And give them monthly tests.
So I heeded all their warnings,
And protected them by law.
Guarded them very carefully,
And I always wore my bra.
After 30 years of astute care,
My gyno, Dr. Pruitt,
Said I should get a Mammogram.
"O.K." I said, 'let's do it."
"Stand up here real close" she said,
(She got my boob in line),
"And tell me when it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine."
She stepped upon a pedal,
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate came slamming down,
My hooter's in a vise!
My skin was stretched and mangled,
From underneath my chin.
My poor boob was being squashed,
To Swedish Pancake thin.
Excruciating pain I felt,
Within it's vise-like grip.
A prisoner in this vicious thing,

TO FINISH THE POEM GO HERE TO MY LAST MAMO.

Last year after my Mammogram, I was bruised and hurt SOOOOO bad.
So, when I  was "reminded" that it was time for my yearly mammo.
I wanted to cry...
But, I did what I knew I needed to do...
I made my appointment... and arrived at our local hospital.
After I changed into my little cape... I looked at the tourcher vice in the room with me.
The machine had a pretty pink pad on it...my first thought was,
"WOW.... even the MAMMO machine is wearing pink."

I was impressed with my tech, she did a great job of helping the "process" go quickly, and I have to admit almost painless.
When she  was done she asked, "if I noticed the Mammo not hurting as much as other times."
I told her, "yes, SHE  had done a great job, even when she was twisting the little knobs to cinch it tight".
SHE proceeded to tell me that each women who comes in for a Mammo
gets their own little pink pad put on the machine,
it was to make the machine not as cold and hopefully a little less painful.
IT DID...

so, when you get your next Mammogram I would strongly suggest you ask if they have

 "Softer mammogram" pink pads on their machines...OR KEEP LOOKING!

Cassia Regional does, and if  they do...

Well, you know, if they do you will find them almost anywhere  :O)

Ok, I don't think I would wear this...but it is cute non the less.

When did you have your last MAMMO?
If you are 40 or older PLEASE get your appointment made ASAP.

Derek Has Been Home...

A Year!!!

It seems unreal that a year ago we were standing at the Salt Lake City International Airport waiting for Derek to be home after serving his LDS Mission in Indiana.

The gang waiting for him.

I remember letting out a loud SQUEAL as we saw him arrive on the escalator and make the LONG ride down.

I still get teary eyed when I see this picture.

There was so much going through my mind and my old worn out heart.

(notice the "it about time sign...and you can not see who is behind it)

Kirk was pretty happy to see his youngest home too.

I remember Ali saying to Derek, "Do you remember me now?"

 Both Josh and Kira had got married while Derek was on his mission.

Derek's face was beyond priceless when he saw Kira,

 He said, "I thought he (Sergio) looked familiar, but I wasn't sure from where."

He just looked at them and smiled saying, "I can't believe you are here."

My children were all home and together.

If you missed my first post about Derek's homecoming you can see it here.

Wordless Wednesday

 ‘come what may, and love it.’

-Joseph B. Wirthlin