summer summary

This is from a letter written explaining the C-R-A-Z-Y summer that our family this year.  Hopefully this (and the next few posts as I attempt to catch up with my life...) will show why I have been MIA here on my blog.

It’s been a long, hot summer, and we have had lots to do!  Here is what we’ve been up to:

On the very last day of May Faith brought her first baby girl into the world!  Sharon made several trips to Thatcher, Arizona, to help Faith and Josh, with the new baby.  All through June we continued to take care of Grandpa McLaws in our home, as he became more confused and less able to control his balance.  About the middle of June, I [Cheryl] started experiencing back pain which I couldn’t explain, so I began a series of adjustment appointments with her boss (who is a chiropractor) and other health professionals.  Julia arrived home from her teaching semester in China on June 29.  The next day, the last day of June, another new granddaughter was born to J.R. and Esther.  The very next day, Julia and I drove off to spend a few days in Disneyland (our favorite place!), and that same day Grandpa McLaws was moved out of our house and into an assisted living facility.  Julia started her mission application requirements, so it was off to the doctor and dentist for signatures.  As the second half of July approached we took advantage of a few free days on the calendar, and explored parts of eastern/central Arizona that either we had never seen, or at least hadn’t seen for a very long time.  Then it was back home to welcome a third grandbaby into the family on July 26!  Yes, three babies this summer!  He was born to Steven and Kristen.  The next weekend was a very large McLaws family reunion in Pinedale, Arizona.  Dad is in the family presidency and had big responsibilities at the reunion this year.  So we helped him as much as we could, and Mom spent a long day traveling back and forth (Dad and Julia stayed longer to camp a few extra days).  Then Julia’s mission call came!  She is going to Manchester, England, and will be learning the Mandarin Chinese language (she reports to the Provo MTC on October 28)!  The same day as learning of the mission call, my back pain (which I had dealt with for two months at this point) became so severe that Mom took me to Banner Baywood’s ER.  After receiving care, I was sent home with pain meds and advice to go see her PCP.  Long story short: my second ER visit was less than a week later and we then finally ended up with a correct diagnosis of a severely herniated disc between L4 and L5.  When the neurosurgeon at Banner Good Samaritan looked at the MRI scan, he ordered me to stay on strict bedrest at Baywood, to be transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan, and to have spine surgery the next day.  So I did.  I am now two weeks post-surgery and doing well in my recovery.  Mom had some days of not feeling well last week, tied to chronic and worsening gastro-intestinal issues, plus lack of sleep from being at the hospital and caring for the patient at home.  We’ve also had school shopping trips with the grandchildren, lots of visits with all the new babies, trips to the repair shop with one of our vehicles, entertaining out-of-town guests, and regular home and church duties.  All this while Mom “isn’t getting any younger,” and I have been working two jobs and taking classes (until the surgery, that is).  And here we are—at the end of August, feeling a little bit worn out!

Our cute summer babies from L to R: Karen, Samantha and Dallin.

For my birthday I decided I wanted pie instead of cake.  So we tried a new (to us) pie place by our house.  We got meat pies for dinner, then a chocolate pudding pie for dessert.  

We didn't have two "3" candles, so instead I am 27 + 6 this year.