Michael's ear

A week ago, Friday night, Michael had been skateboarding with some buddies in a garage out by Bottle Hollow. He fell and ripped his ear off. Crazy. Den drove through the night and a terrible storm to get him to a plastic surgeon who did an amazing job of re-attaching it. It is still swollen and dark, but perfectly shaped. The bowl had been broken into three pieces and the skin in back where he had to work had been "ripped/mashed". The only place it was still attached was in front of the ear lobe. Lessons are learned in the most interesting ways. One man said Mike will probably "hear" us better now. I love that boy. I count our blessings that his hearing is okay. That no one else was hurt. That he will be fine. It could have been worse but he was protected. I am thankful for guardian angels and a loving Heavenly Father.

One more day

I finished taking around some goodies yesterday to people I love. We had gotten most of them done but then the kids came and Christmas blew past and yesterday was the first day back at it. In my defense, it was just the day after Christmas. However, as I was thinking about it, it occurred to me how awful it would be if when I got to the pearly gates, I had just needed one more day to set things right. Whew, this morning, I received a new day. Today, I will do the important things. :)

Wreck

This morning one of our drill girls got into a wreck. A car pulled onto the highway right in front of her and she slammed into his side. She's okay, he's okay. We have traveled many, many miles in our days and count our blessings that we have been safe. I wonder how many miracles have occurred for us to be able to say that.

A girl

Natalie found out today, she's getting a baby girl. I got to see every perfect feature on the ultrasound with her. What a blessing to have this pregnancy be healthy. Her placenta is attached and it and the uterus are sound (which was a worry since they had to give her so much progesterone at the first to keep her from losing it). The technician went over her brain, heart, kidneys, backbone, tummy, cord, and female parts. What a miracle. And to think that it's all the size and weight of a 12 oz. can of pop. Truly a miracle. Thank you Heavenly Father for this wonder.

the furnace

Thank you Dennis for daring to tackle the furnace and for being such a good problem solver. Our furnace has been temperamental this fall. It's been okay since we have a new gas FIREPLACE that is a great alternate heat source. The repairman came the other day and thought it was fixed, but it wasn't. Dennis and Greg worked on it today and ta da :), our house is toasty warm. I love my courageous husband.

Gratitude Attitude 11/26/10

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday. It took me many years to appreciate all she put up with and did for us without any complaint or acknowledgment. She was such a gracious hostess and a lady in every sense. Thank you Mom for your unconditional love.

Thanks to Dennis for giving me my "happily ever after". He really is my Prince Charming. I am the luckiest girl in the world. I love the kind things he does daily, that he "notices" things and takes care of the chores that he "sees", that he cares about me and what is happening in my life. That he accepts me and never complains about my imperfections.

Thanks to each of my children for being NICE people. They are so fun to be around. They are kind to each other and others, too. I love that they live Christian lives.

Especially, thank you Heavenly Father. For allowing me to be born when I was, where I was, and to the family I have. I love my freedoms, I love my religion, I love my community and country, I love my siblings and parents, I love my home and neighborhood, I love my job, and I love life.

Dennis Garner family reunion 2010

On July 24, 2010, our children got together at Lagoon then walked up a trail at Sundance to the most beautiful waterfall. What a great bunch we have. I just love them to pieces!

Carl Garner family reunion 2010

In July, Dennis and I and all his siblings and spouses went to Orlando, FL, where Shanna and Karlene had planned an amazing week of Disney World and Discovery Cove. We walked our legs off, and then walked some more and had the most delightful time. Dennis has the most amazing family, whom I love to death. I really think the sphere of Epcot was fuzzy because of the heavy humidity and heat. Whew. I would sweat just sitting around, there was no dainty glowing here - it was very sweaty. At Lagoon, they spray those mists on you and it cools you off. At WDW, they spray those mists on you and you just get wetter and hotter. The same with water rides. You never dry out and now you are wearing heavy, wet clothes.

New patio

These posts are out of order, but I don't know how to insert one in. I'm still learning and am just glad to get it posted! :) In August 2010 this year, we got a new back porch and patio - which we LOVE!!!!

Elder Garner's return home.

'O Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay!' Elder Garner is home!

Gratitude Attitude

I'm so blessed to see the changes Greg has made in his life. He's respectful, responsible, ambitious and a host of other good qualities. Thanks, Pres. Gonzalez for being the perfect leader for Greg. Thanks to his companions for guiding him to make wonderful choices. Thanks for the people in Fresno who kept him fed and housed. Thanks to those who listened to him and helped him see how the gospel changes lives. Thanks to the Holy Ghost who taught him by degrees until he now understands how to listen and hear and do. Thanks to Heavenly Father for allowing me to witness these miracles.

House remodel

We started remodeling the upstairs last month by scraping the popcorn off the ceilings in the kitchen, Michael's bedroom and the end bedroom. The rest of the ceilings in the house were done last time we painted. We've painted the upstairs except for the bathroom, which Lisa did about two years ago or so. We got new wood floors in the kitchen and hall and where the cow trail was from the front door to the kitchen. Carpets were redone and are all the same for the front room and the three bedrooms. Our washer and dryer were taken out and new stacking ones were moved from the kitchen to the hall closet. A new gas fireplace was added to the front room. We got new cupboards and quartz counter tops including a new microwave for over the stove, a new faucet and a bunch of new lights through the house and new doors and wood trims. It's been so fun to see. Dennis and Michael have really knocked themselves out learning how to do so many things while I cheered them on.