Early Recollections of Michael

One of the earliest recollections I have of Michael was even before he was born. It was first when his sisters, Tara and Tracie had asked where he (Michael) was after having visited with him in their dreams. I was at a loss for words when they told me about him.

A short time later I was putting Tana to sleep by rocking her in my bedroom. I sometimes became drowsy as I held her before putting her in her bed. One particular instance I took her to her room and thought I'd sneak back to my room and rest for a short nap. I put Tana in her bed and walked away to my room feeling Tana was following after me. I closed the door just in case since Grandma Betty McIntire and Grandpa were visiting so I felt it would okay to rest. When I asked Grandma later if Tana had gotten up she told me, "No, she hadn't and took her nap."

I then sensed that there was someone that I felt there but could not see them and it may have been a little child, perhaps Michael. It occurred to me that I had unintentionally shut the door on a little Spirit that wanted to get my attention. I knelt to pray to ask forgiveness if it was that little Michael the girls had dreamed about. I also let my Heavenly Father know that I was willing to invite that little one if there was one ready to come.

My prayer was answered a short time later. When I carried Michael I would sometimes ask for a priesthood blessing when I couldn't go to sleep when he was so quiet that I worried if he was alright. His dad would get up during the night, and dress and put on a shirt and tie to give me a blessing. Then, before he finished the blessing I could feel the baby's movement and I would be assured he was just fine.

I knew there was a very special bond we, as a family had knowing about Michael before he was born. We all rejoiced having another son born after four daughters. I love these fond memories of him and feel comforted about his health progressing and his recovery. We pray for Michael and Joanna to be blessed with faith and courage as they triumph at this time. I acknowledge the unseen helpers who assist also in watching over him during this time and know he is loved.

A Day At A Time . . .

My thoughts are about my son, Michael this week and his progress. I marvel at the medical technology assisting in his recovery. I saw him those first few days after surgery. He lay there very unaware of his surroundings due to much sedation.

Now, a month later he continues in that state at this time. The impressions that come to my mind are how Mary, the mother of Jesus must have had to stand by and watch her son from a distance go through what he did, and suffer so. I also think of how God also had to watch his son, through that same time. I come to understand more fully from that perspective when I feel most helpless except for the hope in the Atonement and the gift that it is in so many ways.

I am so thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and the promptings to help the medical team working with Michael.

I know without a doubt Michael's health will improve in time. I know God is aware of him and is in charge. He will bring his recovery to fruition.

Our Six Month Anniversary

We had our first six month anniversary around the same time I came back from Cincinnati. We had so much energy toward Michael's recovery we didn't make any note of it on my blog entries.

It was on my mind and thought to post something now. I gave Ron an anniversary card and will post it here. It was kind of cute and funny too.

There was a lovely bouquet of flowers for me when I got home. Some beautiful bright hot pink daisy-like flowers. Maybe they are mums, but beautiful. It made me feel so special and loved with the Easter lily plant as well. Both flowers are doing well and still holding up.

I am so happy to be with my husband and go places together. I look forward to our outings, whether it is to go to Oregon with his field work, or go to Wal-Mart. It is a joy and adventure to be sitting next to him or have him take my hand as he opens my door in the car or truck. He is a gentleman, and very respectful even when he parks a ways away from the front of the store, so I can get some walking exercise!

He is a wonderful person and thinks of me first. He has taken excellent care of me through my health needs, an continues to make sure he takes my blood sugar levels morning afternoon and evening. It makes him feel needed and likes that I need him.

He is very giving and unselfish with his time. He works hours out in the yard when the weather is good. When I came from my laser surgery last week he worked out side while I slept and had the whole garden cleaned up and ready to plant. He keeps moving and ready to work. He gets a lot done too. Then he will come in and fix meals for us even is I am not unable to do for us. I do cook for him when he is very busy with things, and he appreciates all that too.

We often work together in the meal preparations. We complement each other. He does the frying of the fish, while I make a salad and set the table. He gets the beans ready to soak overnight and I will get the ready to cook in the crock the next day to have for our afternoon meal. A bowl of pinto beans with cottage cheese. I like to have butter on my beans. He like cottage cheese. He grew up having them like that. It is okay with me.

When I cut his hair, he insists on sweeping up the hair from his haircut. And he takes out the cutting tools and puts them away. Amazing, see, I told he was.

We went to Outback last week for our six month anniversary. We are also so glad that Michael is getting better too.

Easter Joy, with Hope and Promise

These lilies were waiting for me when I returned from Cincinnati last week. Ron got them to welcome me home. I LOVE lillies, and how fresh and sweet they smell like spring. The scent fills the living room and into the kitchen.

The flowers are appropriate for Easter and celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His promise gives hope and faith that he makes everything better and fills me.

Michael at the hospital on March 25, 2012

The last several weeks have been a trial of our(my)faith. My son Michael has been recovering from open heart surgery. It was good to be there with him as he came out of his sedation. He progressed very well and was walking around a little and was even hearing talk about his release. But he has had a few setbacks and coming through them courageously. We have not idea what he is going through or what his wife, Joanna is experiencing. It is their journey and a rough one at that. Our constant prayers go out to them, and are so grateful for the love and outpouring of compassion at this time.

Michael's lupus nephritis has flared up and made his healing slower. I know he is being watched over and that God is aware of him and blessing him even so. I have a peace and know he is in God's hands. Thank you to everyone praying in his behalf.

Lasagne, Salad , Italian Bread with Dessert

Add four missionaries for dinner and you have a great evening with the Elders.

Elder Trout, Elder Ray, Elder Frei, and Elder Salmon. Lakes Ward, Richaland WA Stake.

It was our privilege to have the missionaries over for dinner. We had been gone and missed the sign up for our turn. We like to have them come and share their amazing missionary spirit. I called the Ward Missionary in charge of signing up for dinner appointments with them. There was a need to reschedule hers with them so we got to fill in for that time and day.

It turns out that the Elder who was new and has been here for dinner three other times was the nephew of a the King family in my former Lindon Third ward. His aunt just passed away, and I knew her very well. Elder Ray's mother, Christee and Valerie King were sisters.

Wednesday Special~Wednesday Surprise

Every once in a while I get a nwe kind of dish to eat. Ron will surprise me with his concoctions. It was two days in a row now.

Yesterday, he saw that I warmed up some chicken noodle soup left over from the day before. I just wanted to have something simple and looked forward to that soup. Yumm!

But when he served our bowl of soup each I noticed it looked kind of dark brown and not what yellow chicken broth looks like. He said, "Oh, that's the Wednesday night special."

What??? He had put a small dish of left over pinto beans into the chicken noodle soup! It tasted a little more like beans with noodles. I ate it graciously. He went on to explain that when he was growing up they would throw the left overs in a pan and serve it as the Wednesday surprise.

Well, this morning I was preoccupied with text messages coming in all at once. He was making sliced squash and chorizo scrambled eggs. I usually season the squash with light seasoned salt. We had the squash with no seasoning and I noticed the taste was not as good as what we are used to eating with our eggs.

I passed on the squash this morning thinking next time I will remember to season it. He doesn't salt anything himself and prefers it but will eat the seasoned food otherwise. I watch the salt too.

Scents of Home . . . & Home Cooking

It sometimes brings thoughts of Grandma Rodriguez' kitchen and the homey scents of her cooking, especially her Mexican rice. I recall many a time when the kids were growing up that Hank or Tara would comment that our house smelled like her house when I made the rice and browned the rice with chopped onion and added the garlic. Those smells blended into the memories for me too.

Today I made dinner with the Scents of home wafting through the kitchen and throughout the house cooking chicken mole' and Mexican rice. Ron accidentally cut his finger as he began to cut an onion to chop for the rice. He had quite a bleeding occur. I felt responsible for his pain and injury. I wrapped his finger with several tissues to absorb the blood. It worked after a few minutes. He finished chopping the onion and so I added to the rice. It smelled that homey scents of my mother's cooking.

What a sweet and nostalgic reward and memory.

On a Goood Day

While visiting Michael I took this picture the day before I left. He was progressing so well the doctors thought he might go home the next day. His recovery from his heart surgery is going well. However due to some of his complications that developed are from his Lupus.

The medical team working on his case is doing everything they know possible to help his kidneys function. His progress is slow but know he is being watched over and learning patience through all of his.

I know God honors our prayers and he is taking that into consideration. We are all learning patience and faith. God bless you dear son, Michael.