Monday, December 31, 2007

ibmom & gma

Goood morning and you've helped my day. Yesterday and last week have been bummers. First of all, Happy Birthday to Dale Gary Marler who was born Dec. 29, 1949. I think that would make him 59 years old. I've missed him for all that time.

My cold kept getting worse, so I went to the Pulmonologist (sp). She gave me a shot of steroid, increased my prednisone and put me on oxygen 24/7. She gave me 5- $6.00 anti biotic pills. I couldn't go to Church and had no energy. I was so discouraged last night and dad had to wait on me and he definitely doesn't feel good either. When I said my prayer, I told Father, I was discouraged and asked him to make the burdon lighter. Then I started thinking of all the positive things I have in my life. I found out they were much more numerous. Then the blogs from you all really lightened my day. Oh, did I tell you our furnace went out on us on the coldest day of the year. A new furnace costs $6,000 and they are installing it right now. In the meantime, they loaned us two space heaters which does keep two rooms at about 65.

Thanks, Jodi for your most interesting and descriptive letter about the life of first time parents. The miracle of birth is awesome. Ryan, we hope your family will be on the mends. I enjoy hearing about the progress of your new house. And Bryn, I'm so glad you're through with school. And Gary, I just love you talking about "Our Blessings" Well today, is a new day. I love you all and look forward to a good health week. All my love, GMA and ibmom

Sunday, December 30, 2007

A few firsts

So it seems I am doing things, I didn't really think I would be doing this time of year. So its funny when I do them...at least it amuses me.

So here are some things

1. Getting up at 3am and not being mad at the person who woke me up.
2. Made a fish and chips dinner for Matt and I today. He even hates fish and I don't cook, especially fish...but it was really good! (I'm such a homemaker)
3. Filled out and returned one of those pass it along e-mails. That's funny just to me, but I never pass on that stuff like that...so the extra time on my hands is interesting to me.
4. Played Nintendo in my house. I never thought we would have a game console in our house, but Matt got the Wii for Christmas, and we had some friends over and had the time of our lives. (ok, maybe not the time of our LIVES, but definitely had fun.)
5. Have had everyone in my entire family (except ryans family) stop by my house in the same month...and most have come several times. Wow, who knew?
6. Called Matt to tell him a long story about how I got Carson to burb and how much he ate of his bottle. Funny how your conversations change.
7. Watched daytime television. Ok, I only watched it for about 5 minutes, but now I know that is NOT one of the items that will be filling up my days!
8. Send enough Text Messages that Matt is making us change our plan to include unlimited. I guess we really are moving into the new age. I help back on that for so long, but it really is a good way to communicate...as long as you are not breaking up with someone over text messaging. (Well, it just happened to one of my girls, and I thought it was rude)

Well I did not go to church today. Matt and I usually trade off, but Carson was really fussy today...first time every, so being the first time parent that I am, I had to stay with him and make sure he was OK. But he is doing great now...I guess he may get fussy from time to time no matter what we do! He is sure a fun kid. Thanks to my family for all your support. We are still planning to keep him only in the house for a while, so it nice that you have all made the effort to come see him. Ryan thanks for knowing that sick kids are hard to have around. We still can't wait for the cousins to meet, but you and Kath are so nice and I know you will know when it is the right time to come and we can't wait!

Love you all family, hope you are doing well. Hope you all have some great new year's party's planned and know that we are missing and loving you all!

With love,
Jodi

Bringing on 2008

Good Sunday morning to you all!! I'm home from church today with Spencer and Abby. Spencer has had quite a week with the croup. As you all know, he's had respiratory problems in the past and when he gets sick with similar types of problems, then we have to be extra careful. He has enjoyed taking long showers with his father though as it's a great way to clear up those lungs a little bit.
Abby woke up feeling sick this morning and it looks as though she might have a touch of what Spencer has. Hopefully, we'll be able to get through all of this sooner than later as we enter into a new year.
Santa Claus made it to our place on Christmas day. Abby and Spencer received a new motorized Jeep. Because of the extreme cold, we haven't taken it outside yet to try it out, but that will come in due time.
Our main Christmas gift is this new house that we're building. It's really going up fast as we look to be in by the 1st of April. It's fun to drive by to see the progression each day.
Yesterday day I spent 3 hours receiving a golf lesson from one of my clients. He comes from a golfing family and has two brothers that play on the professional golf tour. Needless to say, I've re-created my golf swing and it could take time before I'm ready to roll with it. This past year, I realized that I need to do something different if my golf game is ever going to improve. It's plateaued over the past 10 years and so it will be interesting to see if I can ever get a little better.
Thanks to everyone with how well you treat our two kids. They simply love each of you and appreciate how much they are loved and treated when they're with you.
Congrats again to the Holbrook family. I hope little Carson is doing well and is giving you at least a couple of good hours of sleep. Seeing those pictures, it doesn't seem that long ago that Abby and Spencer were that size. But that size they aren't now!! Abby will be a Sunbeam next week and loves to play board games. I've played hours and hours of games with her over the past couple of weeks. Spencer likes to wrestle with me as he loves to jump on top of me and try to take me down. He usually does a pretty good job.
Wishing all of you the very best in 2008!! 2007 was great and anxious to be a part of all of the good things coming up. Like Dad said, we are truly a blessed people!!
rp

Thursday, December 27, 2007

December 27, 2007

This could be my last blog of the year. I started work today on my annual, "poor excuse for a daily journal" end of the year summary. I would appreciate it if each of you would send me a little reminder of the most significant events of your year. This month of December has been exceedingly eventful. Thanks to all for your contributions and participation in our five days at Wolf Creek for Christmas event. I love to be with my family! Jodi, Matt and Carson set a new world's record for the best excuse for missing a you'd better not miss this event. Jodi, could you post the Carson Blog pictures and stuff on two blogs and save us from having to look at 2?
I have spent a little time the past few days thinking about the hand of the Lord in the life of our family. I am so thankful for his tender mercies in our behalf. I want my family to know that I know that He lives and loves and allows us to have experiences which, with His help, can turn out to be the very things that will help us grow in ways we really need, but never would have chosen on our own. May we all remember to be grateful.
DAD

1 Week, 2 days


Well it has been one week and 2 days since Carson was born. Our lives are dramatically different for sure, but we love every minute of it. We have created a blog just for Carson. Its so we can post and show our friends pictures of Carson without sending them to this blog. When I update it, I'll post the link on this blog so you can check it out if you want.

So the first one is posted now...

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Can't beat it

well, I can't beat the last post but i do want to say that it is nice to have school done. Thanks to everyone for coming to my Extremely Huge party. I had fun and I appreciate everyone's support. We have such a good and supportive family. Congrats to the new parents. You will be so great, and that perfect baby couldn't go to a more deserving couple. I will also have a lul with stuff from my ward as our sub for santa project is over. I think we helped a lot of people and especially those who contributed, a lot of neat things came out of a lot of time and work. Work is going well right now, with a small break until the new year. Wow, life couldn't be better. I love you all and am anxious to see everyone this weekend for the Christmas holiday, what a special time of year.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Carson Lee Holbrook






We are happy to announce Carson Lee Holbrook was born today at 2:43 pm. He weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz. and is 18 1/2 inches long. He scored a 9 on his apgar score and we really have never been happier. It is now real to us, but we are no longer scared, just excited. Lori our birthmom did a fantastic job and in 4 pushes he was delivered. I never thought I would be bias, but it is the cutest kid in the world...ever.

He is already a happy baby and we are praying it will stick! We are home now after a long day at the hospital waiting then holding and cuddling our baby. Lori is so great an makes sure we all have time to hold him, she calls us a team, which indeed we are and always will be.

We have an open adoption with Lori as you can see we know her well by now. Open means will will send her letters and updates his whole life and make sure she knows that her baby is safe and happy. We love her kids already and she really is a good mom, so we are blessed to have her in our lives.

Carson is so beautiful with a full head of hair and long eyelashes. He only cried a few times and ate a lot of his bottle. He pooped well and responds to light and sound. He is so heatly from what we can tell and feel so blessed to have him.

I know this was sudden news, and we cannot express all the support we have felt from our family and friends. We love you all so much, thanks for being the best family in the world.

Here is Carson!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Whew!

Um, I'm done with school :)

ibmom & gma

Dear Family,

You all got together last night so there are no new blogs this mornong. I'll offer mine now. It's not quite 60 degrees out there, but that new Poinsettia got frozen or nipped two nights ago. I put blankets on them last night. The older one looks clean and pure. The new one has withered leaves. I'm feeling fine and just have a little time getting around. Dad drove me to the Beauty shop Sat. and we went out to Gunnell Jewelry and got the diamonds checked on my ring and bought me the Christmas ear rings that Brynley tried to get me three years ago. Wow they are beautiful. They are definitely not costume jewelery. How did Brynley's party go? Got the furnace man here today and he's giving us the run around. Trying to sell us stuff we don't need, such as a maintenance policy on the Furnace. NOPE. We miss Jill being here and appreciate everything she got done. Love, ibmom and gma

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Steping Stones

Sorry to lead you down a path, but we still don't really know more than we did yesterday. We did meet with a birth mom and she is due any time. She was very cute and loves her baby very much. She is meeting we lots of adoptive parents, so we were one of them...
We liked here...she was nervous. She likes the Utes so we think that is in our corner...however that is all we know. So it was interesting to see the process...but after the last 24 hours, I'm plum tuckerd out. Thanks for all caring about us. We love you all. Can't wait for Bryn's big party...it will be one to talk about for years to come I'm sure!

Troy

Almost Over
Well my last final will be over tomorrow by 11:30! I will be officially have my VP position as of this friday morning when I will be trained and given all the responsibilities of the office. Friday night I am excited to be there for Brynley's party, at least for the first part of it. I do haveto leave that early because my Institute committee will be throwing an after game party after the WSU basketball game. On Saturday when it is all over I will be headed down to St. George with some buddies to celebrate the end of this semester. I am excited to be care free for just a little while and also excited to be in a not so cold weather.
It was fun to spend some time with my Dad, Matt, and Jodi on Sunday. I am most excited to hear the news as I am sure we all are. Best news of the day, by a long shot. I am looking forward to Christmas and spending some more time with each of you. Love Yall.

Troy

What a week of blogs

Man, after reading the past couple of blogs, I almost can help but "refresh" the blog every hour or so, just to see what's new with the family.

Grandma, it broke my heart to hear of the extreme suffering that you had to deal with over the past week or so. I'm so thrilled to hear that there has been improvement. Keep up the good work with that!!

Jodi and Matt.....Hello!! What a crazy last 24 hours you've had. We're all very excited to hear about what happens next, even if nothing happens at all. Most people have at least 9 months or so to prepare for this....not 9 or less days. Let us know what we can do to help.

As for me, nothing like that to report. Tomorrow is our annual Holiday Open House. I'm excited for it, and also excited to have it over with so I can focus on the Christmas time of year. It really does take lot of time and effort to put on. However, it's nice to have the help of my assistant Debbie, who carries a lot of the load.

I'm also excited for the Brynley Poll celebration on Friday night. Congrats to Bryn for your diligence in getting to this point of your life. It's quite an accomplishment for sure.

Our home has the first floor framed and hope to have it all framed by the end of next week. It's kind of exciting to watch as it goes up piece by piece. Well, I'll stay glued to this blog and wishing my family only the very best.

rp

Babies????

Jodi & Matt

So I'll just get strait to the point, because time is a 'wastin! Matt and I decided to put our papers into an adoption agency...just to test the waters...see what there is out there and all that. We requested paperwork and found an agency that we both feel good about. We finally set up and appointment and went in on Tuesday night to meet with Issac. As we walked in Kathy the owner of the agency came in just to say hi. Then she started right in at asking us questions about what type of baby we wanted, if we had the money, what our preferences were, how open we wanted...Wow...such questions. We answered and she suddenly said. Lori needs to meet these people. Lori is apparently a birth mom who is due in a week and still needs to find some parents for her child. Did I mention she is due in a week...ok, just checking. So then things started going in fast motion. Issac started getting us more paper work and asking more questions...we answered to the best of our abilities and asked many of our own. Kathy left and said she was going to call Lori. We were driving home and Issac called Matt's cell phone. Hi, can you meet with Lori tomorrow at 6pm? Um...let me check my schedule...yup, sure can. So last night we filled out more paperwork than it takes to buy a house...just for comparison purposes, and wrote 3 letters...long letters to the birth mom and with more information on ourselves...more than anyone should know...wow...lots of writing. We send in pictures and will fill out a few more papers today and find out details like insurance and do we have a fire extinguisher in our garage. You know the important stuff. Well this is what we know. We are excited, amazed and scared all in one feeling. This may mean nothing at all, there are lots of people for this lady to choose from, but things went pretty fast last night. So I was in be by 2am and woke up to a phone call from work at 6am. I thought I should fill you all in on this because in several of the many questions we answered, it asked about you...yes you reading this blog. So we told them you knew about this and fully supported us. Thanks so much for all your support in this long adoption process we have been suffering through for now more than 12 hours. Oh, the waiting is the hard part and now we know why. Anyways, we are cautiously optimistic and that is all the information we know right now. So don't call today, cuz we only know what we wrote just now...but we'll post again tonight and tell you an update, or call you if we have anything more substantial than what I just wrote. A lot of info...yes I agree. Love you all. Pray for us for so many reasons and well, kinda cool day.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

ibmom & gma

Dear Family,

Just a moment to say that we got home safely from the hospital about 2:00 p.m. A miracle happened when I got home. My feet were so painful that it would take two prople to get me into the bathroom and I finally elected to use the porta pottie right by the bed. The Drs. assistant checked me put and to make sure, they took me to x-ray to get a picture. Thank heavens there weren't any breaks. Coming home I was able to get out of the car by myself. I hate being so dependent on people. Any way GPA got his old walker and adjusted it down for me. And with the help of the walker I can get around with little or no pain in my foot. So I had a big rest this afternoon. Jill and I watched Patch Adams this p.m. She won our game of Fink that we had stareeat the hospital. We finished the game as soon as we got home. Love you all so much. Thanks for letting me use your wife and mother to lighten my life.

ibmom & gma

1 week

Yes, you have read correctly. One more week until it is quite official. I will never have another weekend to stress, think, worry, wonder, hate, dislike or dread school or the homework that I should be doing. Thanks to each of you for enduring my countdown, honestly, i don't even know what to title my blog next week. This week week was good. I'm glad that Grandma is recovering well. She is such a trooper, but am sad that it was a rough couple of days. I hope things continue to improve! Love you Grandma!

This was a busy week with church stuff. We wrapped gifts tonight for several families that we are doing a sub-4-santa for. It has been fun to see my ward family get excited and be so generous with time, and money, and gifts etc. We went and visited an African family tonight. They have been here for 6 months and don't speak hardly any English. I walked into their home and felt like I was back on the mission. It was so much fun. Walking into a strange home, they didn't know us, or who we were, or what we wanted, and we didn't know them. We learned their names and had them stand up so we could guess their clothes sizes. We also got their shoe sizes. They were so cute! It was amazing to be there, and the four others with me seemed to enjoy themselves as well. We will take the gifts around to the other 6 families next sunday, and I'm excited to meet the families, but also have this project done. I have enjoyed almost every step of the way.

I promised myself I'd be done with school by now, but I still haven't wrapped up my grant proposal. Hopefully I can get up early tomorrow before I hit the slopes. I'm excited to go skiing tomorrow and am anxious for a good cold day skiing. Work is good, this week will be an all-telling week as to how things go with actual Jr. Jazz basketball games. Life is good, I love every one of you.

Sunday Night

I just finished Mom's letter with the update on Grandma Marler's health. I then listened to Elder Wirthlin's talk on Charity from last General Conference. You may remember that Elder Wirthlin's leg locked up on him and he was in a great deal of pain, but was determined to finish his talk. Elder Nelson, his long time friend and co-worker came up behind Elder Wirthlin and supported him while he finished his talk. It was a great example of the charity that Elder Wirthlin was talking about. I thought of the great love that the Mother of our family has for her mother and for the support that she is able to give. I am so grateful that she was able to be there and give the love and help that she has. While Mom has been gone I have been on the recieving end of lots of love from our children. I so appreciated Kyle calling yesterday and taking me to the BYU-Michigan State game and then Brynley going to the ward party with me even though she didn't know anyone there and had a lot to do and then Jodi and Matt inviting Troy over for dinner this evening and feeding us some wonderful German pancakes. I love my family and appreciate every moment I get to spend with any of you. I'll be praying for our four students as they finish up their semesters in college. Let me know if I can do anything for any of you. I have the time and the Love.
DAD

Saturday, December 8, 2007

My Surgery Experience

Hi Family,
I am in the hospital, so obviously I can't get to my normal blogging activities, so I have dictated this to my one and only daughter and here is the update. This was Saturday morning, Dec 8.
From G’ma

All went well with the surgery, but after the surgery all “heck” broke loose. I can hardly get in and out of bed. I don’t have much strength in my legs. This morning at 5am there was a beeping on the machine. I couldn’t find the controls so I tried to yell help, but that only hurt my incision. Then the TV went on by itself and then without getting help, I wet the bed. Then the nurse scolded me because I didn’t have someone to help me here in the hospital. The nurse took all the covers off me and used a cold wash cloth. I started freezing and shaking and she asked if I often shake like that. It was a nightmare in real life. The holy and almighty surgeon who couldn’t leave such a high risk patient last time because it would be unethical can now be gone. Yes, he went out of town after surgery.?%#! Guess I either became a low risk patient or he is being unethical.

But I have such fond memories of Thanksgiving and it comes in my mind all the time, it helps me through times like this. Thanks for helping me have those memories.
Love Gma
********
P.S. I write this as myself now- Jill/Mom/Daughter you get the drift

G'ma got up to the BR and oh what a difference a day makes. She could walk much better, she can almost get out of the bed by herself, she ate a good breakfast, she is making funny wisecracks again, and yes, she is in more pain because the tube that was moving medication to numb the incision area came out, but all in all, she has turned a very big corner. In addition you can see that the 1st day after surgery G'ma is still up for a good game of Rummy! She kicked my trash 350-250. Some things just don't change! Love and miss you all.....

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Ramblings from a Sunday Evening

Thanks for coming over family. It was wonderful to have the whole family here in the pivot apartment! We fit! I guess we won't be needing a new home after-all. I am excited for the events coming up. I can hardly wait for Ryan's Open House on Thursday the 13th, Brynley's graduation party at 7 PM on Friday the 14th, the Marler Party on Sunday the 16th, the Poll family party on Saturday the 22nd and now it looks like we'll be heading to Wolf Creek Lodge from Friday the 21st until Wednesday the 26th. We'll be driving down the canyon on the 22nd for the Poll party. I look forward to every opportunity to be with our family. This ward that Mom and I live in is great for offering Service Opportunities. I have had the chance to work at the DI, clean the Salt Lake Temple, work at the Cannery (we did applesauce) and this Tuesday I get to work at the bakery. There seems to be no end to the opportunities. This will be a totally different Christmas this year. I look forward to spending it with the finest people in the world. Best of Luck to our students the next coupled of weeks. Congrats to Mr. Vice President at WSU! and to Master Brynley after only 3 more classes. The Gospel is True! I love the Book of Mormon. I get to teach it next semester and I am already looking forward to spending the next month preparing for it. Best of Luck to Grandma Marler with her upcoming surgery. Let me know if I can do anything for any of you. My calendar is pretty flexible.
DAD

3 days

Well, I must say that I didn't think this time would ever get here. Only three days of class left. In 72 hours, I'll be walking away from the University of Utah only to return to hand in a paper. So, it looks like I really will make it to the end of this road. Then, I think I will be free. Work really took a tol on me this week, it was a busy week, but a good week. The Jr. jazz season is up and running, and there's still a lot to do.
Enough of work and school, Thanksgiving was wonderful, it's always good to be in AZ with grandma and grandpa! I still have this blasted cold and I hope that I haven't spread it on to any of you.
I didn't think I'd admit this, but it was nice to get a good snow storm yesterday. I bought myself some skis, and I'm anxious to go and try them out. Hopefully I'll find some boots, and a good resport to ski this winter.
Well, I got a roommate just before I went to Arizona for Thanksgiving, and I just found out that she's moving out. I guess I'm hard to live with, poor Jessica is stuck here with me.
Christmas is almost here and I'm excited to see how we spend the special day! I'm positive it will be fun wherever we are, mostly because we are fun.
I love you all!
Good luck to everyone who has finals these next couple of weeks!
Grandma our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go in for surgery tomorrow.