Twelve O'clock and All Is Well

The surgery was a success! About 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning we were finally allowed to go in to see my dad following his surgery. What a long day, but how grateful we were that everything went so well. He was supposed to go in for surgery at 4:00 p.m. but because of other complications with the procedures prior to his, he was delayed until 6:45 p.m.. So off my dad went to surgery after wonderful doctors and nurses prepped him for what was to come and off my Mom, Lisa, Cassie, my sweet Sarah, and I went to the waiting room. We were well equipped with domino's, old movies, and snacks to wait out the next what turned out to be 5 hours. We had a great time chatting and playing games and around 8:00 p.m. Brian, Hillary, and Michael came to join in the fun. I must say for one minute that my Sarah was an absolute angel and just cuddled, slept, and smiled for all around. It was so much fun being with all the siblings except our Julie (whom we greatly missed) but we laughed and really enjoyed one another, while trying not to worry about our Dad. Well around 10:20 p.m. the Doctor came out to report that the surgery was finished and we would probably be able to go and see him in the recovery in about an hour to an hour and a half. Recovery took nearly two hours and even then Dad wasn't doing as well as we all hoped. (With my Father's permission I give the account of the rest of our experience)Without giving to much personal information my dad was having a bad reaction to the anesthesia and morphine and was re-living his horrible experience in Vietnam. I have to say in all my life I have never felt so much hurt for someone and the emotional pain for what they had gone through in their life. Hearing what he was saying and the emotional hurt it was causing him made all of my siblings very upset. When you grow up knowing that your dad was in the war and he must have seen things and experienced things that you can't even begin to imagine, well it's just almost unreal. Although my father fought in the war he never spoke of the war or his personal experiences. He would always say that war is a terrible thing and that he didn't discuss it. So I guess that made it all the more emotional for all of us when we he started mumbling about the most horrible events of his life. My appreciation for him and his sacrifice on my behalf on all those who live in this country has grown expedentially. He is a hero in every sense of the word and what he witnessed should never have to be remembered, it should be erased from his mind, never to recall again. I just can't believe what he went through and I love him all the more for the way he has handled it all his life. Needless to say none of us wanting to leave him last night. But when the anesthesia wore off, he was back to his normal cheery self. We went to see him today and he had already walked first thing this morning and while we were there he walked for the second time. The nurses said that he was doing exceptional well and my Dad says he will be leaving the hospital on Thursday. I know my Dad and he has the will unlike many others so Thursday will probably be the day of departure, even though most people stay five or six days. I just wanted everyone who has called, prayed, and worried for my father to know that he is doing great and he said the pain is minimal compared to what he has been through. He is grateful for all the prayers on his behalf and says is feeling wonderful!

Father Knows Best

Tonight I am grateful for a father who seems to always knows what is best for me. Isn't it interesting the older you get the more you look at your parents and think how wise and amazing they are. I have always admired a lot of things about my dad, but I don't know if I showed him my gratitude as much as I should. My father is going in for back surgery tomorrow and Matt and Dan just finished giving him a blessing. I was watching my father tonight who I have always known to be strong, brave, and the I can do anything I set my mind to it Dad, and realizing for the first time in his life he can't fix this on his own. For me it is difficult to watch this remarkable man and see his pain with each step he takes and sense the fear that he feels as he heads into this surgery. He has tried everything in his power to fix his back without surgery but in the end he has realized that this is the only way. Gratefully the surgery with be at the University of Utah with the very proficient orthopedic surgery team. We have all the confidence in the world that in the end he will feel better and have a new lease on life.

With all this said I would like to express how much I love him and how proud I am to be his daughter. He serves his children and wife endlessly and never seeks praise for his service. In my lifetime I have seen him give away the family car, when we needed it for our use, but someone needed it more. He has given away multiple items of furniture to those in need when he himself was out of job and could have sold the products for income. I have seen him get up in the middle of the night because someone was in need, with no thought of the fact he needed to arise early the next morning. He is easily the most gentle and loving Papa in the whole world. He made me feel like a beauty queen my entire life with his encouragement and love. In times of weakness and discouragement he brought me to a new height with his wisdom and outlook on life. In all sincerity I want to be more like my father. I want to serve the way he serves. I want to care for those around me the way he does. I love, admire, and respect my father more than words could ever transcribe. He came from a very difficult childhood and reversed what could have been his future into a life that is rich and full. I know everything will be great with the surgery, but I just realize each day that this life is short and the time we have with each person that touches our lives goes by so quickly so I want to be more appreciative, more kind, and more open about the way I feel for those who have impacted my life. So tonight it is my Father who I honor. It is my Father who I offer my gratitude for the life that he gave to me through his sacrifice of many long hours of hard work in jobs he wouldn't have necessarily selected, but did them to provide for his family. It is my Father who I wanted to emulate. He is everything I could have hoped for in a Father and much more. I love him with all my heart and pray the Lord will watch over him tomorrow and guide the surgeons hands as they mend him back to health. I love you Dad.

The Pumpkin Patch

This was Ethan's first time in a maze. We went with the Gardners and the Sandbergs and it was a blast! The mosquito's were a little crazy that night, but other than that it was lots of fun. Here is Ethan trying to make his way through the maze. He thought it was pretty great.Here we are picking out the perfect pumpkin. Sarah was with us as well, but she was sound asleep in her carrier. It was a little cold, but a beautiful night.
Here are all the cousins: Britton, Bryson, Parker, Abby, Carter, Hallie, Ellie, and Ethan. They are sitting in the cart that you check out to put your pumpkins in. The cart was the highlight of the night, all the kids thought they had traveled back in time and they loved it.
Let the fun begin! I couldn't have imagined how much fun this night would be. When I got out the paints and Ethan realized he could paint that huge pumpkin with as much paint as he wanted, well Picaso was reborn. Well and let's just face it the other bigger boy in the house was just as excited to create his own masterpiece that night. Matt loves to carve pumpkins and always takes plenty of time to make it just perfect. My pumpkin said Parkin on it, Ethan's was painted with star wholes craved in it, Sarah had a beautiful princess that Daddy carved, and Daddy's was a skelton head that won him first place at his work party (no surprise, he always wins when it's something artistic).
Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of the final product, I only took video, but it was beautiful work if I must say so myself. Holidays are so much fun and this was the first year when Ethan really got into everything. After we got done carving the pumpkins we put candles in them, put them on the porch and enjoyed our masterpieces! We then came inside and turned out all the lights and watched It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, it was a perfect night. I love making memories with my family!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was so much fun this year, because Ethan actually got it this time. He was excited to be spiderman and Sarah, being so small we really only had a few choices...so we went with the black cat. Matt went as a daddy and I went as a cowgirl. Ethan thought my cowboy hat was the greatest thing ever (thankfully kids are so easy to please). It was a great day and sooo much fun going trick or treating that night. We started off by going door to door around our own neighborhood with the Gardners. Everyone had a pumpkin for their treats but Ethan had a pillow case and did not want to be like everyone else and have a pumpkin (I secretly love that about him). One of the sweetest things about the night was Bryson was so worried about Ethan and Parker's peanut allergy. Every door they went to he would check out the bowl and tell the people that Ethan and Parker couldn't have their treats because they were allergic to peanuts. We kept telling Bryson not to worry and we would take care of it when we got home, but that wasn't good enough for our protector. He made sure every door we knocked at knew about the allergies and if the boys took something they shouldn't he would take the candy and put it back in the bowl and make them select another piece. It was simply adorable. I was so touched by Bryson's care and thoughtfulness for his brother and my sweet Ethan. It's great to have cousin's who really are your best friends. Apparently I only got a picture of Michael and his family, but wow can you believe how cute they are! They are always so creative every year they out dress everyone. I thought they all looked great, but I have to say Jake looks too adorable in that little tin man outfit!
Sarah with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, they are the two greatest great grandparents in this world.
Well Halloween was wonderful and it just keeps getting better! Happy Halloween everyone!

Sarah's Baby Blessing

This post is to my sweet Sarah. I am writing to you today and hope that you will always know that you are loved and cherished beyond measure and a direct answer to prayer. You were blessed on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. It was a perfect morning. It was almost as if you new something special was happening. You were cooing and smiling and as happy as I have ever seen you. You were perfect during the blessing. Daddy said they didn't even have to bounce you (which is pretty common in most blessings, just to keep the baby calm). Daddy gave you the most beautiful blessing. He blessed you to know your Savior Jesus Christ personally. To recognize and listen to the Holy Ghost. He blessed you with a love and understanding of the scriptures, to come to know and rely on them and to come to know Jesus Christ through them. He blessed you to have the blessing of baptism, a mission if that is the course you should decide to take and to be married in the temple. He blessed you to have virtue above degradation. He blessed you to follow the example of your mother and to be set apart from the evils of this world. That is what I can remember in good detail of the blessing. I know that the importance of the blessing is the spirit that is felt and the spirit was strong and I couldn't have been happier with the blessing bestowed upon you. I want you to know that your Father is worthy of the priesthood and prepared for your special day with much prayer and thought. He reflected deeply about what he would want for you, but he said when it came time for the blessing the Spirit took over and he felt peaceful about what he blessed you with. Your Dad is the greatest example to me and for you and Ethan to look toward on your road to excellence and I love him with all my heart. Sarah, you are an added joy to our home and have brought us such happiness and peace. We love you and know that great things are ahead for you in your life and we are honored to be your parents. We love you! Here is a look at your special day. Here you are right before we left for church. You are beautiful!This is you right before we walked out the door to go to Church. You are breathtaking!

Here is the full view of your beautiful dress. It has flowers embroidered on it and a lace edge at the bottom. The next two pictures are cute little face shots. I love that face!
Here is you and Ethan. I just can't help but think that you are going to be best friends.

This is mommy and you right before we walked out the door to church.
This is our four generations picture. You, Mommy, Grandma McCormack, and Grandma Anderson whom you are named after.

Lisa also wanted a four generation picture. Abby, Lisa, Grandma McCormack, and Grandma Anderson. I have to admit Abby stole the show with this shot. She is too cute!!!

Daddy took this picture of Mommy and you. I couldn't have been happier. You were simply beautiful and I loved your dress so much. I wanted you to stay in it all day long.

Grandpa Parkin, Grandma Parkin, and Daddy. I couldn't ask for better in-laws. I love them with all my heart and they are the most generous, spiritual, and loving grandparents and parents. We love you Mom and Dad! Thank you for everything you do for us.

Grandpa Parkin, Grandma Parkin, You, Daddy, and Mommy.

This was the best family picture we could get that day. Ethan is at the stage that he doesn't love to get his picture taken and we have to beg him to smile, so here is our little family on your very special day.

Daddy, Grandpa McCormack, You, Grandma McCormack, and Mommy. Oh how I love my Mom and Dad. If I can just give my children the love, respect, security, and all the blessings of a happy home as my parents gave me, well then I will be a successful parent. I love you Mom and Dad and could never thank you enough for the life you gave to me.
Great Grandpa Anderson, Great Grandma Anderson, and you. You are so blessed to have your great grandparents in your life. If I could tell you anything about these two great people I would tell you that they shaped the family we have today. They are loving, kind, and they love their children and grandchildren regardless of what they have said or done. They are righteous and true. They are exactly who you can look to for a beacon and guide for your future. I love them and I couldn't have asked for better grandparents.
Well this was your special day and it couldn't have been more perfect. Everyone was so supportive and you were an absolute angel. We love you, our sweet Sarah and look forward to what the future holds.

Happy 30th Sweetheart!

In light of Matt turning 30 today I would like to tell you the thirty reasons why I fell in love with him then and why I am still in love with him today.

1. I always said when I met someone who I considered the nicest person I had ever met I would marry them...and that is you.
2. I have never met anyone in my life that can make me laugh like you do.
3. When you tell a story no one can take their eyes off of you. eg. Silver back gorilla with red eyes, or old salty just to name a couple.
4. I love that when we started dating, you let me know three weeks after our first date that you had every intention of marrying me. (no beating around the bush there and I love that about you...scared me at the time, but I love it now).
5. I love that you can make any situation a comfortable one.
6 I love that when you give a priesthood blessing you always put on a white shirt, tie, slacks, and even put on your church shoes. There is something really honorable about someone who honors the priesthood like that.
7. I love that regardless of how tired you are, your family always comes first.
8. I love that you love your parents so much. You look to them for support, guidance, and you honestly like them.
9. I love that you love to play hand and foot, so much that you would make a trip to St. George just to get a good game going.
10. I love that every Saturday morning you can't wait to cuddle with Ethan and watch cartoons.
11. I love that when you come home at night the very first thing you do is kiss me hello and then the kids get their kisses and hugs.
12. I love that you always have a hunger for knowledge. Every book looks interesting to you and you are always reading.
13. Even though I tease you about it, I love that you still read your college text books for leisure. There is something really refreshing about someone actually enjoying their degree and never wanting to forget what they have learned.
14. I love that your spiritual insight always makes me want to strive harder and study deeper.
15. I love that you love going to work and truly enjoy your employment.
16. I love that you will hold me, kiss me, and make a fuss over me, any place, anytime, anywhere.
17. I love, love, love that you will rub my feet every night if I asked you to.
18. I love that you don't have a selfish bone in your body. Truly you would give the shirt off your back if it was asked of you.
19. I love that you love to laugh. You always keep our home lighthearted and a fun place to be.
20. I love that you take being a Patriarch very seriously. When it comes to caring for your family spiritually you think and feel very deeply about it.
21. I love that every night you read to Ethan and sing to him from the hymn book.
22. I love that you can't wait to play cars with Ethan as much as he can't wait to play cars with you. I hope I never forget the sounds and the voices you both give to the cars, it's quiet the show.
23. I love that I have never seen you lose your temper or raise your voice.
24. I love your loyalty. I love that once someone is your friend, that is it, they are your friend for life.
25. I love your devotion to extended family. The way you talk about them and long to be with them is very comforting to me.
26. I love that you make me feel like I am the best cook, mother, and housewife. You are always praising me and it makes everything I do worth it.
27. I love that you love your children so much. I love that you can't wait to hold Sarah and take your turn for the cuddle time. I love the Ethan is your "buddy" and that he wants to go everywhere with you.
28. I love that you talk about your mission so often and that you truly look at it as the mold for your life.
29. I love that you are the smartest person I know (and that is no joke), that you are the funniest person I know by far and that your character mean more to you than anything else.
30. Most of all I love you. I love everything about you, even your little quirky habits. I love that your brilliant, yet so approachable. I love that your kindness is unmatched. I love that your dedication to the Lord is first and foremost. I love that you would rather stay home with our little family than do anything else. I love that you are you! I love you sweetheart. Happy 30th and I hope it was a fun day and that you know that you are my world and my everything. Happy Birthday!

VOTE YES ON PROP 8 IN CALIFORNIA!!

I have been contacted by my sister in law in California about Prop 8 for the voters in California. I have many friends who live in California and could be a part of the voting in November. I urge you to get registered by the cut off date of October 20th and get to the polling stations to vote YES on Prop 8. For those of you who don't live in California, but know people who do please contact them about this proposition. The church had a special broadcast regarding this issue and has urged everyone to get out and vote. This proposition is to define marriage as between a man and a woman. It does not take anything away from gay couples, they still have all the same rights as a married couple. This is to protect the sacred nature of marriage. Marriage is between a man and a woman, just as it was with Adam and Eve. If you would like to know more about Prop 8 go to protectmarriage.com and you can read more about the issues involved. I applaud all of you who are walking door to door and are involved in the thick of things in California. What a terribly difficult thing to do, but standing for something that is core to your beliefs takes strength and usually is hard, so way to go! VOTE YES ON PROP 8!