Our Crazy Life: August 2009

Cat on a stick (or should I say power pole!)

We are dog sitting a dog that is afraid of thunder, so we brought him home with us for the night since there was a storm. Unfortunately we have cats in our house. Our cat Jack DOES NOT LIKE DOGS! Needless to say when he saw the dog he got scared and ran up a power pole in the corner of our backyard. He was perched on the live power lines yowling for help when we found him. Calls to Animal Control, the Fire Dept., and the Power Co. were of no help. After taking the dog home, enjoying two nice burst of fairly heavy morning rain, and 5 1/2 hours of coaxing from two women on an extension ladder placed on a live power line pole in the rain, he finally crawled down far enough for Judy to reach him. This happened none too quickly. I'm not sure who was the most stressed in the situation, the cat, Judy and I, or the neighbor screaming over the fence for us to get down away from the power lines! I have to say the several birds who popped on the line a couple feet away from the cat just to taunt him did supply some much needed comic relief!

The Great Vitamin Caper

Yesterday morning I woke up early to find Jacob already awake and wandering the house. Soon after, he began complaining that he didn't feel well. After a brief interview with him I discovered he had eaten an entire costco sized jar of gummy vitamins. I quickly called poison control and was relieved to be informed that the worst thing that would happen would be explosive diarrhea and a tummy ache! Whew, another bullet dodged!

Roller skating

This week for Family Home Evening we decided our family needed to have some fun, so we went skating at Hollywood connection. We took our niece London with us too! The twins didn't enjoy the experience that much so they ended up sitting in the center of the rink watching for awhile. They had fun though. Poor Jon fell and bruised his hip. I am pleased to report I can still skate well and can even race around backwards! It was really fun and we hope to go again soon! Next time we will go to a family rink that lets the little guys ride on scooters!

Just 2 short days after we came home from Texas Kayleigh crashed her bike and flew head first into a parked truck. The end result was a severe concussion, and dehydration (from throwing up too much) that landed her in Primary Children's Hospital overnight. We received good care and she was actually sad when they took her IV out, she wanted to take it home to show her siblings!

Four Corners

On the drive home from Texas we stopped at 4 corners just to say we did! It was a bit expensive ($3 a person) and sort of lame, but the shops along the edge were cool and we bought a few neat things! We also can say we have all been in 4 states at one time! Here's some proof!

Dad's memorial

Our family had another nice long drive from Utah to Lubbock, Texas for my Dad's memorial. While we were there we spent time with the Holland family and got my Dad's house cleared out. It was an emotionally exhaustive week that felt much more like a month, but we did it!

The memorial service at my Dad's church was nice. So many people spoke about the man my Dad was and helped clue us in to different sides of him some of us didn't know. One highlight for me came in the form of an Eagle Feather. An Indian chief who was a Vietnam Vet my Dad counseled gave my the feather with a beautifully written tribute to my Dad. It also stated that an Eagle feather was being released to the winds in my Dad's name as a tribute to him. He credits my Dad with saving him from suicide. The honor is reserved solely for warriors. A hawk feather was also released to take the tribes prayers for the family to the heavens. It was very moving.

After the church service there was a family luncheon and then a short gathering at the war memorial in Lubbock. My Dad helped get the memorial for the city and his friend Ed wanted to light a colored smoke grenade in Dad's honor there. It was really cool, as were all the Vets that spoke there!

We went to dinner as a family that evening, then found the coolest park to gather and play in. I'm am so glad Hil and Bea came up from San Antonio, my Uncle Virgil, Aunt Shay, their grandson Isiah came from Washington and that my Uncle Perry and Aunt Sharon, and cousin Molly and her family came from Oklahoma. They really helped us survive a miserable week and added some bright spots!

The smoke grenade

The Holland side of the family

Jon and I with our family. Koe is wrapped in a towel behind Jon because she fell in the lake!

My Uncles Virgil and Perry

Jared at the Park

Jacob

Kloe

Jacob

Sister play time!

Kloe and cousin Isiah

The Park

The 3 amigos!

The San Diego funeral trip

We went to San Diego for a week so we could attend Michelle's funeral. It was a bittersweet trip. The day of the funeral was especially difficult. On the other hand, visiting family and friends was a much needed relief after of week of emotional hardship. Spending time with my Mom, Grandma, cousin Robert, my BFF Toni and her family, old friends from our neighborhood and school, as well as all the Stanger family was amazing. If only there wasn't a funeral in the mix.

Jon and his siblings Eric, Danny, Nicole, and Scarlett

Nicole, Jon, and Eric

We went to a Padres game with Jon's brother Danny. Here's the view from our nose bleed seats!

We got a day at the beach to unwind. Here's all 7 of our crew!

The Stanggang

Jared and Kami with our "adopted" son Dan!

Kami showing Jared woman are just as strong as men!

Michelle

On Friday July 10th, just 3 days after my Dad was found, Jon's Dad called to tell us his wife Michelle was being taken off life support. She had been in a coma since the previous Monday. It was a shock to the family as she was only 47. It was at this time we decided to go to San Diego for her funeral first, then hold a memorial for my Dad in Texas later in the month. Our hearts were broken for Nick and Scarlett, Jon's Dad and baby sister.

My Daddy!

On July 7th, after nearly two weeks of unsuccessfully trying to get in touch with my Dad, I called the Lubbock police Dept. and ask for a health and welfare check. They called me back 2 hours later to let me know that they found my dad dead on the floor next to his bed, with his faith dog Puppy there by his side protecting him. The medical examiner estimated that he probably passed away somewhere around June 24th! I felt just awful about the time delay in finding him. I hadn't been too worried because he had mentioned a fishing trip with my Uncle Perry. I assumed he was out of range. When both my Uncle Perry and my Uncle Virgil called to see if I'd heard from him, I knew something was wrong. Needless to say, I will miss my Daddy very much!

The zoo with the Despains!

Way back on June 30th we took Brenda, Lauren, and Wyatt to the zoo. Lauren and Wyatt had never been! We had a really great time seeing all of the animals, and an even better time acting like them!