Decision Time!

This is my life. No it isn't that bad! The school has given us until Saturday May 30th to accept their offer. After that they will take the cash bonus away. We are fasting and praying to do the right thing. We could use everyone's prayers these next few days. On a happier note we are going to my nephew Jerry's wedding on Sat. We are all very excited for him and his little family. They are going to have a luau. Tons o' Fun!!

New Start

Life has been so crazy lately. My Grandma Arlene died this last Saturday. She was such a wonderful woman. There has been so many trials in my life lately but also so many blessings. Amanda and family came back for the funeral. It was great to have the kids play together. The weather was great. I will try to find pictures of them playing outside together. They really get along great! They are now on their way home.
Now I need to take some time for me and put my life back together. There are so many things I want to do this summer with my family and I really need to get things together so that can happen. I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful weather!

Peace

I am waiting for peace. It has been awhile since I have posted. My life has been so crazy lately. Earlier this month Dan's uncle Ralph died in a house fire. It was a tragic death that could have been avoided. he was such a sweet man. I had the privilege of putting together picture boards of his life for the funeral. I was very grateful that I was able to help out as much as much as I did. A few nights before the funeral Dan's Mom was taken to the ER. She has MS, wheelchair bound and never complains about a thing. She seemed really tired all day then at dinner she just couldn't even eat by herself. Turns out that she had phenomena , a UT infection, and an infection in her blood. She is doing a lot better and is home now. During all of this there were a few misunderstandings within the family. It made me really sad that those feelings were happening in a time like that, this was a time where we should have all been working together. Most of us did really well together and grew closer from it. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be so involved and get to know Dan's family even more. While all this was going on Dan is still working nights. I really hate it. I never see him. When I do see him he is so tired he can't even have a conversation. He was really bothered that he wasn't able to be there with his family. I really hope he gets put back onto days soon. I don't know how much more of this crazy schedule I can handle.
Things have been busy at church as well. We had our Ward Conference, my first one that I was involved in, I am second counselor in the Primary. It went really well, turns out that we have a great Primary, I knew that but it is nice to hear that you are doing a good job!
Mom and I are trying to see if you can go to CO again for Abram's blessing. I hope we can. It will be great for all of the grand kids to be together.
What else? Oh the house, we are waiting for the school to get their final building plans done. Then we will talk with them again. Such a long process, I had no idea it would drag on this long! We do have a few house options if we do sell. One of them is to move into Ralph's house. The house needs to be totally redone. It is right behind Dan's parents house. I would like that because then I would be able to take better care of them. We will have to wait and see what happens with that. I think that is all that I know. The kids are doing alright. They are sick right now, no swine flu. They got tested just in case. Some sort of virus, Nora's lungs are really bad and I think they are going to put her on steroids today. Poor girl!

House Again

I thought we were done with house thing but apparently not. There is a new deal on the table right now and it looks promising. If you want more info give me a call or email me.

Life

Oh the turns my life has been through these last few weeks. I have been to Colorado, Utah, Colorado, and back to Iowa in the span of ten days. Good times! I am so grateful for the way that my family and friends pulled together to help out with the Mata's. Amazing things were acomplished in these past ten days.
First an update on the Matas. . . Mom and I traveled out to Colorado to help with Malia and to set up their house for them. Things came together very quickly and the house looks great. There are still some things for Amanda to sort through but I think that she feels better about her living situation. Abram is doing great. He does not seem to have any other medical concerns at this point. It is so amazing what the priesthood and the power of prayers can accomplish. Abram is still struggling with nursing. Amanda is really putting up a fight to breast feed him and I applaud her for that. I know that with patience that things will work out for her. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to serve her and her family.
Second an update on my family. . . Nathan and Nora spent the ten days that I was gone with Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Bart. I am so grateful to them for keeping my little punks. I also have to give a shout out to David, Sharon's son for watching them as well. It was a very stressful week for them. My kids are so active and accident prone. Nora fell and had to get three stiches in her forehead. I am thinking about keeping her in a bubble from now on! She is recovering and seems to not care about it at all. Nathan has been raving about how much fun he had there. I don't think that they will be invited back anytime soon. I think that they need a break!
Third an update on our house. . . We are not selling our house and are going to continue to remodel it. We are currently done with the school thing and plan on staying here until we decide to move. I am very excited to go ahead with house projects and improve our little house.
I am so grateful for the church in my life and for the strength that it gives me to endure all of the trials that I am faced with. I know that I am so blessed because of the choices that I make in my life. I have so far to go but I am proud of who I am and where I have taken my life. Thank you for all of the people that support me and that have helped me to become who I am. Most of all I am so grateful for my husband. He has made me a better person. I love him so much and I am always amazed at his support of my crazy ideas. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Kind of a weird blog, I know, but I am weird.

Good News

Abram is doing so much better!! He is off of his ventilator and breathing on his own. He is still on oxygen but it has been lowered over time and will continue to go down. He will be taken off of the antibiotic and pain meds today. He will only be left with one iv and that one is through his cord. Amanda might get to nurse him today which means she will get to hold him for the second time! Mom and I have been getting their house set up for them and are getting things ready for Abram to come home. He is so beautiful! I will try to remember to bring Amanda's camera so I can post a picture of him. Colorado Springs is beautiful. They live in a great area where you can see the park from their living room window. Malia is doing great and I know that she is going to be a great helper when Abram comes home. Amanda is healing, we keep having to make her slow down and explain to her that she just had major surgery. She forgets that she won't heal as fast as she did with Malia. David will be deployed in May. He will get some leave before he goes so that he can have time to spend with his family. Thank you all for your prayers and fasting. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. A special thank you to Grama and Granpa Caley for keeping Nathan and Nora. It has been a huge help to me. I miss them but it is for the best. Thank to everyone one again!

Abram David Mata

Amanda had an emergency c-section last night and gave birth to their new baby boy. Mommy is doing fine. Abram was transferred to another hospital to receive more care. He was 6lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. Born at 7:30 on March 10th. He is having complications he has received two blood transfusions and in on a ventilator. My mom and I will be leaving tonight to go out there to help with whatever they need. Please do not call Amanda. You can call me if you have questions. 563-564-9037. Please keep them in your prayers.