Green Light



Pumpkin Farm-Russ, Allie and Jacob 10/20/10

 It's been well over a week since we've updated.  Tara went to church this week, her first time back and it was so wonderful to see everyone in her ward.  Our support from our ward has been amazing. There was lots of encouragement and thoughtful mention of prayer and worry in her behalf.  She taught her class and enjoyed seeing the kids.  She was rather pooped after the second hour and Russ took her home.

 Courtney finding her special pumpkin.  Good job Court 10/10

Tara had her post-op appointment and was given the green light to start getting back into normal life for a couple of weeks.  She has another surgery scheduled for the second week of November for thoracic outlet.  This is the surgery she would have had if they hadn't found the aneurysm.  This week was representative of  getting back on track with errands, her first big shopping trip to Walmart, and car pool.  It's amazing how busy we can get without even trying.  She also made it to the gym and did about 15  minutes on the stair climber, of course at a reduced level.  It was bitter sweet knowing where she has been.


It's tradition that we go to the pumpkin patch and pick out our pumpkins we've done this for the last 5 years or so.  We know someone that has a large farm and we actually cut them off the vine.  The kids look forward to it-we had one less child because Syd was helping a friend with an Eagle Project.


Yesterday evening we all went to the 4A State Girls Soccer Game.  It was up at the Rio Tinto Stadium home of the Salt Lake Real.   It was  Timpanogos vs. Bonneville.   Many of Courtney's club players play for  Timpanogos.  It was an excitting game and we enjoyed watching and  Court loved seeing her teammates play.  Bonneville came out on top 2-0, but not without great effort by Timpanogos.  They had several  shots and opportunities of scoring, but it wasn't meant to be.  The funny thing with soccer is you can give  your heart and soul and dominate the whole game and not come out on top.  It makes for exciting play.  We are looking forward to playing club again-and have some tournaments coming up.

On the Mend.

It has been nearly a week since the blog has been updated.  Our apologies.  It will be 4 weeks since Tara had surgery on friday.   She is doing well and very anxious to get moving in any direction.  Two months without getting any exercise is starting to wear on her, but she has done well.  She has kept herself busy doing embroidery and writing notes, visiting and reading.   Tara has had a lot of opportunity to reflect on this experience and the opportunity it's given her to understand the atonement more.  She has a greater understanding of the importance of family and that life is eternal. 

She is looking forward to getting back outside in the yard and doing some sewing-she may even do some painting, as in walls.  Allison asked if she could have her room painted for her birthday.  Russ will probably be helping out with this one because her birhday is at the end of the month. 

The kids have been busy as usual.  Courtney finished her season of soccer with a game at Payson and at Uintah this past week.  Court didn't start either game, which was a great disappointment.  She is a freshman and has three good years ahead.  Maple Mountain also played their first State Tournament Game today (10/12/2010) against  Timpview and lost in double over time, which went to a shoot out.  Court had all of maybe 2 minutes of playing time which was a bummer and was to be the 6th shooter in the shoot out if it went that far.  The coach only made substitutions for one player for a minute here and there and  all of the other players did not received any relief.  We felt it was to  the teams detriment- the other team had several substitutions which allowed for renewed/stronger play.  Our players were worn out.  Only one shot was made of 4 opportunities of the shoot out.  It was a hard fought game.

Soccer ended two weeks ago for  Jake and Allie.  They will both be playing basketball this winter.  Erin has the best schedule-no recreation activities until spring.   She keeps herself busy doodling and designing in her  art book and visiting on facebook.  She and Courtney both babysit and have many opportunities of that weekly.

Syd has been busy with school and is doing MATC and has a heavy load of homework.  Her seasonal work has ended and she is looking for another job.  She has some leads and we are hoping for the best.  She doesn't want ro return to Macey's.  She would like something new.  She seems to come and go as she pleases and is home  more than she used to be.  When she is home she is a wonderful help and has been a lifesaver in taking and picking kids up.

Russell just finished 9 days of hunting.  He had drawn out for a wasatch tag for bull elk.  The weather was a huge factor, it was just too warm.  The last three days it was cool and he hit one at dark and couldn't find it.  He rounded up a group to help him go back up  the next morning and they couldn't find it.   He appears to be worn out and not too excited about the deer hunt and doesn't plan to go.  He could certainly give you more details if you were to ask him.  We were soo glad when it was done, as was he.

Well, that's about it.  We hope you are all doing well and have a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  Fall is one of our favorite seasons because it draws your family close.  Best to you.

Catching Up!

We had a great weekend.   Conference was wonderful and we had the opportunity of listening to some inspiring talks.   We can't help but relate to Pres. Hollands talk on the green jello and funeral potatoes and the wonderful LDS culture many of us can relate to.   We have had random acts of service that have increased our faith and love for those around us.

Tara had some surprise visitors friday while she was getting ready to go to lunch with Russ and Jake. She has been itching to do something and Russ thought getting out to lunch for an hour or so would help.   Courtney's Club Soccer Team made her a quilt with all the girls names on it, that each of the girls decorated.  Jeni Warner and Cindy Henderson brought the quilt and took the time to visit.  It made Tara's day and she was touched by their thoughfulness and willingness to take time to come out to Spanish Fork and see her.  The team is mostly from Orem.  You are AWESOME ladies (Jeni & Cindy) for making this wonderful quilt and thank you girls for sharing apart of yourselves.  This kind of thing is what it's all about.  We have felt inadequate in letting everyone know how much we love and appreciate all they have done for our family.  (The girls were fighting all weekend about  who was going to wrap themselves in the blanket next...they loved it!)

Russ had been hunting the night before (Thursday) and he and Jake had returned home very early in the a.m. to regroup and check on Tara.  Jake wasn't all to keen about going to school and Mom gave him a comp day.  Allie wasn't to happy he wasn't going to school and felt a bit cheated.  Life is just not fair! Tara came home for a needed rest.  Russ and Jake went back out after the kids got home from school.

Tara and the two girls, Court and Erin, went to the show later to escape the bordem, and Allie went to Kayden's and Sydney picked her up later.

The family spent the weekend enjoying conference and having dinner with the extended family in Salem at Tara's sister, Tana's house on Sunday .  She enjoyed visiting and giving and receiving hugs from everyone.

Wow! what a week. Thanks everyone for all you do!