April 2017

I've been emailing a weekly check-in to our 

children and grandchildren for a few years. 

 Here are the 5 emails from April 2017

4/2/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Greetings good-looking group,

[When it gets to be this late I remember the only reason to be grateful that most of you live 2-3 time zones west of me is because it is still Sunday for most of you.  That said, it is still time most of us should be sleeping.  Can you hear G’pa Lane’s soothing snore?]

1)  Happy April!  I love spring.  And the weather here is gorgeous.  

2)  Without kids or g’kids to visit I just plumb stopped taking photos.  So here’s what I’ve got:

3)  This mermaid pasta caught my eye on FB.  Tastes pretty!

4)  General Conference was delicious!  

- Develop firm testimonies - Obey God’s commandments -

- Pray daily - Live as the Savior lived w/ kindness and love -

- Study the Book of Mormon everyday

We will be blessed to resist temptation, overcome fear and receive heaven’s help in our lives.  AND MUCH MORE!!!  Coming...May Ensign (or online NOW)

5)  My recovery has been one for the record books.  I’m certain that my surgeon will agree when he sees me tomorrow.  It’s all due to my hunny's good care.  

6)  I vaguely remember trying to dance from my prone position as I was wheeled into surgery.  Sure enough, the releasing physician commented about that as Jamaican music had been playing.  I think I am more impressed with myself then embarrassed.

Coming soon:

April 3rd ~ cousin Kaelyn Adams (Tigard, Oregon) will be 5.  Hurray!

April 7th ~ Jami & Chris Robison (Cincinnati, Ohio) celebrate 3 years of marriage.  Sweet!

4/10/2017 (Miami Beach & The Florida Keys)

Hello Meghan Trainor Mavens...or not,

For me last week was “All About that Beach”…’bout that beach, ‘bout that beach.

On Thursday, late in the day, I found myself at an appointment 1.4 miles from North Miami Beach.  I could either head home and sit in rush hour traffic or pick up a salad and linger on the coast.  EASY CHOICE.  Three hours later I zipped home in record time.  It was then that I decided to give myself a view of the water once a week.

1- Thursday, picnic on Haulover Beach (North Miami Beach) “Every hour should be happy"

2- Saturday, Islamorada Fish Market, lunch in the Keys with these two happnin’ guys.

3- advance planning for a visit from Lincoln and Scott (next month).  Maybe we’ll spend a day here…

4- tomorrow we embark on a sunset dinner cruise out of Ft Lauderdale.

5- lesson from the ocean ~ sea life’s beauty.

"Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness.  Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy!  And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together...And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!"  D&C 128:23 (One of my favorites.)  

Three beach visits in 6 days.  Good ratio.  One day I’m gonna miss this!

Coming soon:

Alta Charlotte will be 6 on Thursday, yippie!

I love you forever.  And I think of you every day and I miss you constantly.

4/16/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Dearest children,

It’s no secret how I feel about Easter.  My reasons include:

1) "None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.”  ~ The Living Christ  

2)  “I know that the only lasting joy and happiness we will ever find during our mortal experience will come by following the Savior, obeying His law, and keeping His commandments.  He lives.  This is my witness to you.”

Elder L. Tom Perry 

3) Religion is making sense of emotional chaos, a school for learning how to cope with loss, grief, depression, guilt, confusion, doubt, fear.

4) God makes everything fair.  My grandson Dillon lived 1 year, my dad lived 83.  

5)  "Death is but a going home.” (I don’t know who said this first but I completely agree.)

6)  I know that life gets better when we go home.  I think Brian agrees because he kinda had mixed emotions when I didn’t get my ticket home.  See inside the Get Well card the Hansen’s sent after my happy diagnosis.  I love you too Brian!

Now you know why I love Easter.  

This coming week:

Saturday April 22nd, Dillon is 11 in earth years.

We love you forever,

4/23/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Baby I’m amazed by my babies - Hi kids,

Another week.  How was yours?  Can you tell me who copyrighted the copyright symbol? 

PINK.  I love pink.  I think it might just be my 2nd favorite color. (First is YELLOW)

Maybe that’s why I love pink flamingos.  When we lived in Parkland, FL I wanted to decorate ‘Callie’s’ bathroom with them, but went another direction.  So now that we are in a trailer it just seems like the time is right. 

1) Our bedroom…

2) Our bathroom…a work in progress.  A painted Flamingo accent wall is coming.

3) Our yard…(I wish)

4)  Okay.  This is our yard.  What happens when your neighbor blows his leaves into your yard?  Eventually one of you has to remove them to make way for the flamingos.  ;o} 

5) This man invented the plastic pink flamingo.  Donald and his wife Nancy have worn matching outfits for the past 35 years.

Nancy says "Donald used to have to travel for business and when I packed his case, I'd tell him which outfit to wear on which day, so we coordinated even though we were apart. It helped us feel connected to each other. But his boss realised Donald was much more productive if I came along, too, so I'd help out at the conventions. It was good for business, because people would seek out our stall year after year to see what we were wearing.”

6) A wise man said, "A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone.  A home is made of love, sacrifice and respect.  We are responsible for the homes we build.  We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage.  There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows. joy and sorrow.  But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth."  ~ Thomas S Monson

7) My mom’s David is receiving unusual treatment for a newly discovered cancer of the bladder.  Our prayers are with them both.  They are practicing faith in the Lord and trust in the doctor.  Please be mindful of the Englands, they are beloved folks. 

Coming soon:

25th - Callie & Rayson celebrate 8 years marriage.

26th - Hatcher will be ONE!

29th - Dalia turns 11…WHAT!?

30th - Lane & I tend the Kelley kids for 2 weeks while Meredith and Tyson travel internationally.  Anyone else want a babysitter?

I love you forever!

4/30/2017

Greetings favored family,

I landed in SLC late Friday.  Lane is due in within the hour.  

1) If I’m lucky I’ll be able to see a bunch of these adorable little people this week and next.  Starting with a morning at the Gerbers…

2) And an evening with the Kelleys.

3) I need to get more grownups in my photos.  I’m not saying that Callie is not grown-up  ;o}  but I missed Rayson, Meredith and Tyson.

4)  Why is it called a ‘pair of pants’ when there is only one?

5) This is what girls camp preparation looked like this week:

Be wise.  Remember WHOOO you are.  If ye lack wisdom, ask in faith.  

6)  "Faith yoked with consistent action fills the heart with kindness, the mind with wisdom and understanding, and the soul with peace and love."  ~Pres Uchtdorf

Happening soon:

Isaac is kindergarten qualified next Sunday!  F I V E years old.

I love you forever.  It was another memorable month.  Bring on MAY! 

March 2017

March 2017

PARIS - CINCINNATI - SURGERY

The day before our flight to Paris I got in for my MRI.  
My new OBGYN, the beautiful and marvelous Dr M.A. 
reviewed the results with me the next morning.  
She insisted I see a renowned (and busy) gynecological 
oncologist  -- medical director of the region's largest 
minimally invasive, robot-assisted, gynecologic surgery 
program --before I boarded our evening flight.  Dr N.L. 
surmised that the large ovarian tumor was only 50% 
likely to be cancer.  I was shaken but the doctor assured 
me that I should join my husband and enjoy a week in Paris.  
Before we left his office I scheduled a total hysterectomy 
to remove 2 sizable ovarian tumors. If one was malignant 
he would begin chemo through an abdominal port placed 
during the surgery.   

Lane and I raced home to pack for the flight.  

(We flew standby direct from Miami to Charles De Gaulle)

Week 1:

Hello stellar descendants,

Something quick.

Something French.

Week 2:

Here are some unusual postcards we spotted:

Top of the Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Bottom of the Eiffel Tower 

The Catacombs

Modern Art

Okay.  Now some more normal pics...

Real Art

The Bullocks are amazing travel partners.  

Blending in with berets.  ;o}

Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl.  She supported the King of France, 
and was later captured, tried and burned at the stake by the British 
at age 19.  Twenty-five years later the Pope declared her a martyr, 
and in the early 1800’s declared a national symbol of France by 
Napoleon Bonaparte.  I find her story sadly fascinating.  Many 
depictions of her continue in films, theater, TV, video games, 
music and performances.   

Playwright Maxwell Anderson wrote these lines for Joan of Arc, 
“Every woman gives her life for what she believes.  Sometimes 
people believe in little or nothing, nevertheless they give up 
their lives to that little or nothing.  One life is all we have, and 
we live it as we believe in living it, and then it’s gone.”

Our final day in France was spent visiting Normandy.  Here we 
remembered brave men who heroically sacrificed their lives 
to liberate strangers in the common cause of humanity.

Today, March 12th, Lane turned 69.  Still on the sunny side of 70.  ;o}

And in 2 days Stephanie and Jerel mark 21 years of wedded bliss.  

Thursday, March 23rd, is my surgery date.  However, if the GYN oncologist 
becomes available to perform it earlier I’ll jump on an earlier date.  
This tumor hanging from my ovary is hovering over my head.  
I want answers and healing to begin ASAP.  

Week 3:

Felicitations favored family,

A fun flock of five females marked Jami (Robison’s) 30th in her new town 
- Cincy, Cinti, The Queen City, Nati, Porkopolis, aka CINCINNATI, Ohio.  
Jami and her husband Chris were great hosts.  
This city is lucky to have the Robisons, who arrived 2 weeks ago.
And I am super lucky to be joining these amazing women - my daughters!

Quirky culinary concoctions - the grilled cheese donut.

Distinctly different dwellings - Loveland Castle is one.

Purple People Bridge - connecting Ohio and Kentucky, 
where neither the people or the bridge appear to be purple.  

If something is too far to see then it is simply PASTEURIZE.  ;o}

If you haven’t seen the new Beauty & the Beast movie, you should.

Hymns make good sermons.  The fight is real people.  
And so is God’s mercy.  Thank you Lord.

#197 Verse 3

Thy sacrifice transcended the mortal law’s demand;

Thy mercy is extended to ev'ry time and land.

No more can Satan harm us, tho long the fight may be,

Nor fear of death alarm us;  we live, O Lord, thru thee.

This Thursday I will receive a priesthood blessing followed by 
major surgery to determine the threat of a nuisance tumor.  
Faith and prayers are appreciated.

Coming soon:

     Danika Robison (Aunt Jami’s baby) will be 1 on Tuesday the 21st.

     Violet Hansen (Aunt Britni’s daughter) turns 3 on Friday the 24th.

Week 4:

Hola amigos and chicas,

Thursday’s surgery could not have gone any better!!!  
Everything went in my favor.  
So, so, so blessed.  
A world-reknown surgeon.  
No post-op pain or nausea. 
No post-op medication needed.  
A roast beef dinner.  
Plenty of rest.  
My own TV remote. 
I kept waking up from dreams at the Eiffel Tower, funny. 
 Outstanding family & friends checking in.  
THANKS!  
I went home Friday. 

I did take several pain pills Saturday.  During each day I try to 
take 3-4 short strolls on Lane’s arm.  He attempts to straighten 
my posture so I won’t appear so pathetic.   Our kind and 
thoughtful HT’ers brought us the sacrament today.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationary. ;o}

The recent General Women’s Conference addresses pointed 
me towards Jesus Christ, trusting Him and finding peace.  

My recovery goals have changed:

Whoever invented “knock-knock" jokes should get a no-bell prize.

I think this everyday...

What more could I possibly want?

Monthly wrap up:

My hysterectomy recovery has been one for the record books.  
Recovery time cut in half (3-4 weeks).  I’m certain that my 
surgeon will agree when he sees me tomorrow.  
It’s all due to Lane’s good care.  

I vaguely remember trying to dance from my prone position as I 
was wheeled into surgery.  Sure enough, the releasing physician 
commented about that and told me it was the power of the Jamaican 
music playing in the OR.  I think I am more impressed with myself 
then embarrassed.

February 2017

February 2017

Dear keepers of my heart!

Week 1:

The only photos I took this week were my dental work before & afters.  I’ll spare you.

Week 2:

Lane bought me fresh strawberries. 

 "I used to be addicted to the hockey-pockey.

     But then I turned myself around.

     That’s what it’s all about."

I used that in the youth fireside tonight (Feb 12th).  ;o}

It was fun.  Glad it’s done.

On Feb 7th Lane and I went for a stroll.  I remarked that before we even started I had a side-ache.  
Odd.  It lingered, on and off. Two days later I was on the floor squirming in pain.  
I spent 10 hours in the ER, throwing up several times from pain, once wreathing on 
the bare tile floor.  That's when the nurses found me a room with a bed, thank goodness!  
During the night a CatScan, Ultra Sound, Pelvic Exam, pain Rx followed.  
Then sent home without answers and told to get an MRI. 

Week 3:

I’ve had a super good week.  No mo pain.  An MRI has been prescribed.  One 
has been calendared for February 28th.  Thank you for your concern and prayers.

I have a new paint project.  I love to paint!  
Lane and I built this and are rather proud of ourselves, 
although I made a small mistake in the design.  
Lane said, “Don’t be negative.  It looks great.  Don’t even tell me.”  
Then he proceeded to point out my error.  I love him.

For our valentines celebration we took in a "Piano Guys" concert.  
It was soooo good.  
For our family, we mailed these little babies...

Week 4:

Here is a clue where we spent time this past week.  
(This guy was hangin' at my Seattle airport gate.  
Big Foot is notorious in the great NorthWest wilderness.)

Britni invited us to come visit her family in the NorthWest next month 
but when that became less than ideal Lane & I hopped a flight last Sunday 
for the week of Britni's birthday (Feb 24th). 

Chocked full of fun... A luau, tea party, sleepovers, dates, babysitting, 
Lego Batman, walks home from school, a baked Alaska fail, hilltop cookout. 

The Hansen hilltop, site of their future home. 

Stay FAB!  

FEAST upon the word, APPLY God's teachings, BE joyful in His service.  

(Based on President Nelson's advice to South Florida members April 2016.  
That man is a marvel, and a prophet.  We sat on the front row!)

We are grateful to be crisscrossing paths with each of you as we make our journey home.  

We believe each son, daughter and grandchild is vital to our growth and happiness.  

Knowing and loving you brings great meaning to our lives.  Thanks!  

(We only wish we could cross paths much more often.)

(2.27.2017)  Today we received our first phone call from Greg.  We chatted for 1/2 hour.  
He sounded good under the circumstances.  He’s hopeful that our efforts will lead to his release. 

The 28th is my MRI - after a 2 1/2 week wait.

[summary of health issues pertaining to the side ache/ovarian tumors]