Third year - Month of August, 2014

Early in the month of August, we had the all class reunion in Whitefish.  I had planned to go with Mark, but Stephany got outrageously sick with a kidney infection, so I stayed home with her.  In fact, I spent the weekend debating a return to Med North Urgent Care and did finally take her back for a second time.  It was decided at this visit to change the antibiotics and culture the specimen to see what bacteria was causing her symptoms.  She did not have the usual set of symptoms, but instead had a fever, nausea, and vomiting.  Also, aching all over like the flu.  However, unlike the flu, these symptoms persisted for over a week, so I took her to Med North.  She finally did the original three days of antibiotics and an additional ten days of a second antibiotics, and after three visits to Med North, she finally was feeling somewhat better and the tests showed the infection gone.  That was just two days before our move, so we actually moved with her feeling pretty ishy.  Anyway, also, the Wayments came to visit us.  Their daughter Courtney had a TBI two months before Bridgett.  We met them at the rehab hospital at the U of U.  We had such a great visit with them!  Courtney is doing great!  We had time to discuss the new Pathway program that Bridgett is enrolled in.  They were the ones that originally told us about it.  We are very excited and hopeful about the coming class that will start in September.  Penny (Courtney's mother) said that it was the best rehab money they spent.  We are hoping for the same kind of results.  The first semester Bridgett will take a class called Life Skills.  The description is as follows...

GS 120 teaches basic life skills that can lead to success in both personal life and academic studies. The three main areas of study are: learning to learn, self-sufficiency, and disciple leadership. The topics studied include study skills, career and academic planning, provident living, budgeting, goal-setting, time management, learning to lead by teaching others, and blessing others with what is learned.

Also, this month we actually accomplished the move, on August 21st. We ended up taking the big trailer and it was actually pretty full.  I had the lead in the convoy, with Bridgett and me in the Buick.  Arrianne and Stephany followed us, driving Arrianne's Elantra.  Mark had the rear, pulling the trailer behind his truck.  We had some extra excitement (NOT) on the way down as the girls car spun out of control and they did a few 360's, and hit a barrier but were mostly unhurt and just really shaken up.  The car did not fare so well, and was actually totaled.  We all know that they were watched over and protected and their lives were preserved.  Things could have ended up very differently.  Although we were in sight of each other almost the entire way, at the moment they spun out of control I had gone about two minutes without checking my rear view mirror, and luckily for me did not witness it.  If I had I would have probably had a heart attack!  I mean really!!  When I noticed they weren't behind me, I pulled right over and it was only 1-2 miles ahead of them.  We were just outside of Lima and had no cell service, so I waited, knowing that Mark was between us.  After a few long minutes of waiting, they drove up and pulled over behind us.  They got out of the car shakily and burst into tears.  Stephany's door was mashed in and wouldn't open, so she climbed out Arriane's side.  It was cold and rainy so we all got in my car and talked about it.  Next to stop was Mark and then two ambulances.  Someone had called it in as a rollover.  Unbelievably, after this entire episode, Arrianne was actually able to drive the car to Orem!  It took a lot of fortitude on her part!  But at last we made it!  BTW, when we went back to where they wrecked to meet the highway patrol, I saw that they were so close to going over a large cliff and I almost had a heart attack then!  I know that they were watched over, as they came so close to going over that cliff!  The highway patrolman was so very nice and did not give her a ticket, although the car took out part of the guard rail. 

We had a small Boyd Hall reunion for my mom and siblings on Saturday.  Mark, Bridgett, Arrianne and I went, and Stephany had to stay home and rest as the move really took a lot out of her (not to mention the wreck!).  It was great to see almost everyone!  Arrianne and Bridgett just stayed for about an hour and they headed back to Orem.  Mark and I stayed about an hour more. 

We went to the new ward on Sunday.  It was very nice and we were able to meet the bishop.  Bridgett introduced herself and told him a little about her wreck.  She actually did quite well.  We have been practicing introductions, in order to be ready for her class. 

School started on Monday for Arrianne and then starting on Tuesday Stephany began an institute class that they are taking together.  It meets twice a week.  They are also taking a Thursday night class in addition. Stephany's other classes don't start for a couple of weeks.  Likewise with Bridgett's classes.  Mark was able to stay with us until Wednesday the 27th.  We are mostly unpacked and situated, at least enough to get by:)  We dropped the Elantra off to Larry Miller repairs and have rented a little car so that we can all be where we need to be.  Now the waiting period to see what will happen to the Elantra (although as I mentioned, it ends up that it was totaled).  What a month!

Also during August, Bridgett finished the first phase of the brain protocol and started on the second phase.  I see a definite improvement in her memory and actually she is looking more like her old self all of the time.  Even the speech therapist commented that she is doing much better than her testing showed, which translates to me that she has improved from last month and the speech therapist is now seeing it.  Bridgett is VERY excited to start back to school and we are excited too, although of course a little apprehensive as well.  We pray so fervently daily for Bridgett's continued improvement and I know that there are others out there that pray for her as well.  Thank you so much!  All of the time we are seeing the answers to these many prayers and also witnessing a living miracle! 

Third year - Balance of the month of July, 2014

It's been so crazy around here that I have gotten so far behind with my posts.  So, I plan to post a few general posts and then hopefully get back to posting daily.  As I have mentioned before, this post has served many purposes.  First I created it in order to get information about Bridgett to people who we know and love. Second, I hope that this is a record that at some point in the future I can print into book form and give to Bridgett, as a way to see what she went through.  Especially when we are talking about the first year, she remembers nothing.  She has been asked what is the first thing she remembers after the wreck and she answered that she remembers flying to New York.  That was eleven months after her wreck.  From time to time she says something about the rehab hospital, but I think that these are things she remembers from the stories we tell her and not from actual memory of her own.  If I ask her questions about anything that happened the first year, she draws a blank really except for the stories we tell (like flying home with the Stanfills).  Third, I hope this blog can help someone else out, who may be going through some kind of a similar experience, whether it be a TBI or whatever. 

We had a busy for the rest of July.  My brother Dave and his two youngest kids, Jaiden and Justus, came up from Utah to visit.  We had lots of fun with them, and Bridgett for sure had a blast.  Bridgett was very close to Dave and his family in the few years preceding the wreck.  She often stayed at their house, took care of the kids, went to do fun things with the family, went running and biking with Dave and just had lots of fun.  She is always so excited to see them and really enjoyed their visit.  Also, Bridgett and I made a trip to Orem and Faith came and saw us at our place there. Mark had already brought down some mattresses for us and a few other things, so we were fairly comfortable there.  Additionally I was able to get a very quick visit to the dentists, as I have a tooth that feels as if it is broken a little bit, but there is no pain.  It turns out that it did indeed break, but it did not break to the root or anything.  I will get it fixed when we get to Orem at the end of August.  There was no one to be with Bridgett while I did it this trip, so no problem waiting from the dentists viewpoint.  Also, the girls and I are busy making lists of things to pack so that hopefully we will not forget anything important when we head to Orem.  At least if we do, Mark can bring it to us on the next trip down!

Third year Day 215 - Wednesday July 16, 2014

Well we learned something interesting today.  Bridgett was talking to Faith and we were discussing the fact that noise bothers her so much.  Suddenly Bridgett said when the dogs bark next door, I hate the noise because I can feel the vibration of the noise up and down my spine!  What!  She has never said that before.  I asked her if she feels that with all loud noises and she said yes she does!  So no wonder loud noises bother her so much.  I'd hate that too! Faith said that in utero the baby is in water and all noise is vibration through the water. Then things change in the primitive part of the brain development and this is during the phase of birth to nine months.  So the brain protocol first phase very important to Bridgett. Hopefully, her brain will continue healing so that won't be an issue any more. Today begins the second week on phase one of the brain protocol.

Third year Day 214 - Tuesday July 15, 2014

Bridgett said my eye must be straightening out because sometimes I see straighter.  It's so hard to know exactly what she is seeing.  One of the therapists said I wish I could see from your eyes for one minute so I would know exactly what you were seeing.  I  think that as well sometimes.  Its very hard to describe what you are exactly seeing, especially since you may not know or remember how you used to see before!! Today Bridgett was thinking about girls camp songs.  Actually, this is the week that she would have gone to girls camp back in the day!  Anyway, she was singing camp songs and we had some fun times laughing over the silly songs!

Third year Day 213 - Monday July 14, 2014

Today was speech therapy.  After we parked and were headed into the hospital building where Lynne's office is, Bridgett suddenly stopped and said, hey, something is happening to my eyes!  Sometimes I'm seeing better!  Is my eye less crossed?  I looked at it and it looked the same; nevertheless, something must be happening in the eye--brain protocol at work??  I spoke to Lynne and asked if we could have the appointment without the lights on and only the light from the windows  Lynne's office is very light with a lot of windows in it and so plenty of light without the fluorescent lights on.  Faith speculates that the fluorescent lights flicker and add to Bridgett's eventual headache after a time.  BTW, it seemed to help; at least Bridgett did great during the appointment and made it to the very end with no problems.  Anyway, back to the appointment itself.  Lynne looked over Bridgett's journal, asking questions to see if Bridgett could remember things that happened during the week.  She came to yesterday's entry about Mark telling stories and when Lynne asked Bridgett about what stories he told, she immediately began laughing and laughing.  She tried to tell the story though her laughter, and did a pretty good job of remembering the details.  That was great!  During the therapy session, Lynne had Bridgett work with some blocks that she called the tower test.  There are three wooden posts, with rings on some of the posts--some large rings and some small.  Next, there was a series of pictures and Bridgett had to match the configuration of the rings to the picture, with the stipulation that you couldn't put a large ring on top of a small ring when you moved them.  She was able to do several of these and had a great time doing it.  Bridgett said afterwards, we need to get one of those to play--it was FUN!  I googled and found a game that looks the same, called Tower of Hanoi.  Maybe I will have to order it.  However, it probably wouldn't have the pictures that you are supposed to match.  Hmmmmm.........

Third year Day 212 - Sunday July 13, 2014

This evening Mark told stories while the kids and I listened.  There are some of those stories from when he was young that the kids know as well as he does, and maybe better now!  Hee hee.  Anyway, one of the stories was about a time that Mark went fishing with uncle Rick.  One of their friends took them someplace they had never been before and then left them.  They were walking along and found the river to fish but didn't know where to stop. There were all of these clumps of dirt with plants in the water and you could jump from clump to clump.  Mark called them lily pads for ease of telling the story, but obviously they weren't really as they weren't floating plants, but dirt with plants.  Anyway, after jumping from clump to clump Rick said the water doesn't look deep, I'm going to try just going through the water.  He stepped in and went clear under and nothing could be seen of him.  Mark waited and waited from him to pop back up for air but he didn't.  Finally a fishing pole end came up and so Mark carefully grabbed it and pulled, hoping that the pole wouldn't come apart.  He pulled and pulled and suddenly Rick's lips came out of the water and he drew in a huge breath of air.  He he pulled farther and got his face out of the water, though the rest of his head was still under.  At this point Rick said I could have drowned!  Then the two of them started laughing and laughing.  I'm sure part of that was after worrying that he would drown, they had that emotional release because he didn't.  Anyway, Bridgett laughed and laughed at that story!  She didn't remember Mark telling it to her before, but it really made a hit with her now!

Third year Day 211 - Saturday July 12, 2014

Bridgett told me today that uncle Frank is her favorite uncle.  Then she said that's kind of weird that I think that because he wasn't around much when I was young.  True!  I'm glad that she can recognize that and think that out.  But she really did have such a great time while he was here and is still talking about him! Of course, she does love all of her uncles!  And she has a great time with them!  She used to spend a lot of time with Dave and he definitely is one of her favorites!  They used to bike together and run together.  Also, she has a real soft spot for Jon and Justin, who always go out of their way for her and make her feel special.

Third year Day 210 - Friday July 11, 2014

Bridgett had PT today with Kat Ingalls.  The most amazing thing happened!  When she got there, Bridgett started telling Kat about a dream she had with Kat in it.  They were working out together.  Now, this might not seem amazing at first, but it is the FIRST time that Bridgett has remembered a dream since her wreck!!  Now, that's amazing!  Related to the brain protocol?????  PT went great and Bridgett had fun.  So far, we are learning some things that seem to help with Bridgett's physical progress, so that's good. 

Third year Day 209 - Thursday July 10, 2014

Bridgett remembered traveling with Buttercup, the little Pomeranian we used to have.  We would take her in her crate in the motor home when we traveled.  One time we actually took our little calf Ace with us too.  Bridgett remembered that time and we all had a good laugh.  Right before one of my brother's weddings, Mike??, one of our cows delivered her first calf, and then had a prolapsed uterus.  We called the veterinarian and he came and actually just washed off the uterus and shoved it back in.  He gave her a shot and said that it was 50/50 if she'd live.  He said that within the hour she would die, or she would make it.  Poor thing was in shock I'm sure and within the hour died.  So, we had a newborn calf and no mother to nurse it and we did what anyone would do--ran to the farm store and bought colostrum and a bottle and learned how to feed it.  For quite a time we fed it round the clock--that is either Tyler or I fed the little guy.  And, when it was time to leave, there was no one that would be there to feed around the clock, so we hitched up the horse trailer behind the motor home and loaded up Ace and a portable fence, and off we went.  That trip we also were taking Julie (Chris's wife) and her kids with us in the motor home.  When we stopped for gas, we fed Ace!  Unfortunately, when we hit northern Utah, we had engine problems.  So, there we were, stopped on the freeway with a mooing calf to feed and it was like 90+ degrees!  We called for a tow, but would have to wait hours to get towed and then to Wyoming!  So, after some rest for the motor home, Mark tried it again, and we found that we could drive slowly and actually made it to Sue's house in South Jordan!  That last little bit down 90th South, we were going VERY slow, and barely made it, but we did make it.  Then we put up the fence in Sue's backyard (thanks again Sue!) and stayed for a week with little Ace.  All of the neighborhood kids, and some parents, came to see the real cow in Sue's backyard!  It was kind of a funny and very redneck thing to do.  Ahhh the memories!  We are all sure glad that Bridgett is getting some of these memories back!!

Third year Day 208 - Wednesday July 9, 2014

Today we actually started day one of phase one of the brain protocol.  Luckily everything went well.  The old program that I originally got a copy of was quite complicated, with different things to take each morning, afternoon and evening, and different things to take Monday, Wednesday and Friday, others to take Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and something separate for Sundays.  I knew I would need a big chart to keep track of it all.  However, now the program has been streamlined, and there's just a short list to take each morning and evening.  GREAT!  No complaints from Bridgett, which is huge because if she wasn't on board with taking them, that would be a problem:)

Third year Day 207 - Tuesday July 8, 2014

Monday was the day that we were supposed to start Bridgett's new brain protocol, but I was just so exhausted from everything that I didn't get started yet. Tomorrow will be the big day. So anyway, the protocol is something created by Dr. Gerard Gueniot, M.D. of France in the early 1980's.  The protocol has been in use for over 15 years, and has had great success.  The aim of it is to complete any brain development that has been interrupted and is especially used by those with ADHD, ODD, autism and panic responses, and additionally, any one with any significant brain trauma or emotional trauma during the development of the brain.  It is a very interesting protocol and I have been eagerly anticipating doing this protocol with Bridgett.  Faith began to talk to me about it many, many months ago and tomorrow will be the first day.  Exciting!!

Third year Day 206 - Monday July 7, 2014

We had an appointment with Lynne for speech therapy today. Bridgett does love to see Lynne and enjoys the appointments.  When we got there, I asked Lynne if I could talk to her privately for a few minutes, so Bridgett stayed in the office with Lynne's student Jenny.  Lynne and I walked for a bit and then sat down and talked.  I talked to her about Bridgett's shutting down, and about her being over whelmed.  Lynne was very understanding and it was good to talk to her.  We both decided to work together and dialog more.  I felt really good about it.  Last week Lynne had said something about not wanting to offend Bridgett about interrupting and then something about the old Bridgett and then Bridgett said, I'm not offended by my old Bridgett but I do miss her!  Now that's something to think about!

Third year Day 205 - Sunday July 6, 2014

This was one of those huge attendance days for us in the Bigfork ward.  In the summer we have so many visitors, a large bulk of them from Canada. Anyway, the attendance is somewhere from 800- 1300 people on the Sunday of the 4th!  There are so many people, it's hard to park anywhere close and its very noisy for Bridgett to be there.  She really can't take that kind of noise level, so we opted to stay home this week even though she was feeling good enough to go.

Third year Day 204 - Saturday July 5, 2014

Frank and mom were up early and headed back to Salt Lake.  Tomorrow Frank heads back to Las Vegas, as he to be back to work on Monday (at 4 am!).  It was a short but great visit!  Today Bridgett asked me, didn't Albertsons used to be Buttreys?  Yes, it did!  Of course, that was our closest grocery store when we lived in the log house and it was the one that Bridgett would remember shopping at the most often.  Exciting the many things she is remembering from her childhood.  I remember the days when we thought that her entire long term memory was forever lost!

Third year Day 203 - Friday July 4, 2014

This morning Mark was up and out early, headed to the church to get everything ready for our annual community breakfast. Mom and Frank and I were able to start visiting early.  Arrianne headed to the church to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the flag ceremony.  After she returned, mom and Frank and I headed to the Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell, to put flowers on my brother Chris's grave.  Actually I found it just fine, even though there is still no headstone.  However, I was surprised to see that the little solar light they had there before was missing although the little flag was still there.  It is so peaceful and nice at the Conrad Cemetery.  It was nice to just spend a little time there and visit about Chris. Next we drove to Whitefish to our old place there.  We had a nice visit and drive and then headed back home.  By the time we got there, Arrianne had gone back to Bigfork, to drive Mark's convertible in the parade while he walked beside her.  They decorated it all up with red, white and blue.  Mark was also all decorated up!  He wore his Republican vest with buttons from the State Convention.  Since he is running for office here, he wanted to be in the parade.  He is running for the Montana State House of Representatives.  After we were all done with everything, we spent some time on the lake.  Frank really like the speed boat, and liked going full out or about 50+ mph.  Mark liked the boat but didn't really like the speed when they went full out!  Actually, it was mom's first time on the boat.  When she and dad were here before, he was unable to go down to the dock and so she stayed with dad and didn't go down either.  Afterwards we had some dinner.  Bridgett really loved having Frank here (and mom).  She kept telling him how much she loved him and then telling me that he was her favorite uncle. She said to me, I know I never got to spend much time with uncle Frank growing up, but I do love him so much.  Cute and true.  We haven't been able to spend much time with Frank over the years, but since he separated from Cindy he has been able to spend more time with all of us, especially with mom.

Third year Day 202 - Thursday July 3, 2014

Busy day today getting ready for my older brother Frank and my mom to come and visit.  It will be a really quick visit.  They will be here tonight and tomorrow and leave Saturday.  Frank lives in Las Vegas.  He drove to Salt Lake yesterday and picked up mom and now up here.  That's a drive!  However, he recently bought a Mercedes convertible, so he's loving the driving.  My parents used to have a couple of convertibles, so mom is excited as well.  When they were first married, they had a corvette.  They had that when Frank was little too.  However, as Frank used to remind me, they sold it when I was born because there was no room.  That was back in the no car seat days, and Frank rode on the floor as an infant, and then by the gear shift as a toddler.  Hah!  Then when we were a little older (like I was maybe 7) dad bought a Buick convertible.  Both cars were black and shiny!  Anyway, Frank and mom got here around dinner time, so we had quite a bit of visiting time this evening.  Mark had our Lake County Republican Central Committee meeting this evening in Polson, so he wasn't home until later on.

Third year Day 201 - Wednesday July 2, 2014

I forgot to mention that when we were in town yesterday, Bridgett was telling me a block or two in advance, what businesses were located on Main Street.  These would be businesses that she remembers from before the wreck, as we have never had reason to discuss then since the wreck.  For example, she said, isn't the karate place up ahead on the right, at the corner? I do love it that she can be so much more aware of her surroundings.  Some of these landmarks are things that she haven't discussed, so I know that they are from her long term memory.  Cool!

Third year Day 200 - Tuesday July 1, 2014

Actually today was PT, and it was really too close to Speech therapy for Bridgett.  Another drive into town!  For her neck, that's really pushing it!!  But, she did OK today nonetheless.  Her neck was tight, but Loretta (Kat's assistant) showed us a way to push on the clavicle lightely and have another hand behind on the shoulder blade and this releases some of the tightness.  Part of the time Bridgett just needed to walk outside, so we went out with her and walked up and down the sidewalk.  We ended the appointment after only 40 minutes, instead of an hour.  Perhaps this is what we will need to do from now on???

Third year Day 199 - Monday June 30, 2014

Bridgett had speech therapy today with Lynn and her student Jenny.  She made it through almost the entire appointment before she finally started to get feeling poorly.  At the point when she started feeling bad she had just been showing Lynn how to do lunges and explaining some technique.  Lynn was impressed with her ability to explain and demonstrate etc.  Then Lynn talked to her about interrupting people.  She said that in conversation that Bridgett needed to be careful not to interrupt.  At this moment, almost precisely, Bridgett suddenly stood up and started to feel horrible.  Her neck hurt and she said that she needed to do some walking.  Afterwards I talked to Faith about this experience and she talked to Bridgett.  Faith then told me that Bridgett was upset because she doesn't like to interrupt, but with her memory issues, if she doesn't interrupt sometimes she forgets what she wants to say and it might be important.  When we talked to her about writing down her questions for later, Faith pointed out that often she begins a sentence and then forget her thought before she can get the entire sentence written down.  So, this whole line of discussion was very overwhelming to her and that's why she just kind of shut down.  Also at this time Lynn had talked to her about being more independent, and Faith said that right now with her memory issues she is very dependent on me for her "second brain" and then "pushing" her for independence is scaring her very much.  I understand this completely, and hopefully when I talk to Lynn about it she will understand too.  We need to have these appointments be productive, not counterproductive! 

Third year Day 198 Sunday June 29, 2014

Bridgett is still pretty sore from those exercises that the PT's gave her to do.  But, every day things are a little better.  This morning she was in too much pain between her legs and her neck and so we stayed home from church.  Luckily the girls go to the singles ward in the afternoon so they can still go even if we stay home.  Today Bridgett remembered about how we used to take our little Pomeranian named Buttercup with us on trips in the motor home.  She fit in a little crate and rode along quietly and then we didn't have to board her.  Actually, there was one trip when we did board her and she was so scared at the kennel because they put two Rottweilers next to her (after we left), and she was shaking when we picked her up and vomited afterwards.  She finally calmed down and we decided not to board her again.  She was at a kennel run by a veterinarian, so they checked her out and said it was just nerves.

Third year Day 197 - Saturday June 28, 2014

Bridgett says the funniest things sometimes!  She said to me today.....when you're ridiculously old and gray can I tell my children how beautiful you used to be??  Hah! 

Third year Day 196 - Friday June 27, 2014

Many months ago I posted that Inez had told me about a website...jenniferfield.org.  I searched around on her website quite a bit.  Jennifer Field was an Olympic hopeful when at the age of 17 was in a near fatal car accident, comatose and brain injured.  She is now a motivational speaker.  On her website, there is a list of therapies and treatments that her family used to help her get better.  One of these listed is Dr. Tobin Watkinson and his Bicom machine.  I have tried to get a hold of him by phone and have been unable to reach him as of yet.  His office is in San Diego, California.  Again this week I have been trying to reach him.  At last, he did call, but because I am missing calls on my cell phone, we did not connect.  He left his email address and a message and told me to email him my questions.  This I did and he has responded back to me.  He asked me to set up an appointment to talk to him and to tell him how Bridgett is doing right now and what things we have already tried.  Perhaps we will find another thing that we can do to help!!

Third year Day 195 - Thursday June 26, 2014

Bridgett woke up very sore from all the leg work yesterday.  All day she was so sore walking around the house and trying to get up and down from sitting and laying.  Too much yesterday!!  It is always so hard with physical therapists to get them to understand the situation.  Since Bridgett was so gun ho to do everything yesterday, and since she remembered how to do everything from before and was explaining exactly how to do it, they thought she was under control and had her do too much.  It's a fine line and I know hard for them to find that line. I do know that some pain and stiffness is inevitable, but this is far too much!  Oh well, we'll figure it out!  I guess I get frustrated because sometimes it seems that there are so many days that pain takes a front seat and it just interferes with life!  But, at least its not as bad as it used to be.  Things are getting better!

Third year Day 194 - Wednesday June 25, 2014

Although yesterday was good and Bridgett's neck was great, today it was back to sore!  She woke up in pain and then it seemed to be a little better. She was scheduled for her first appointment with Kat Ingalls for physical therapy.  It was a long wait to get into her and then Kat had to reschedule because of illness, so we decided to go anyway.  The drive was hard for Bridgett. We got there and she was in a lot of pain.  So, now we can see how they handle pain I decided.  Anyway, Kat asked if ice or heat would help.   Bridgett said we use heat.  Kat had ice so she suggested we try that.  It did help, although we won't generally use ice as heat is better.  Also, Kat put a tens unit on Bridgett neck in the back.  It actually did help in that it distracted her brain from the immediate pain.  Kat said that is what they are looking for....distraction for the brain.  Anyway, it got us through the appointment and Kat sent it home with us to use.  After she was distracted from the pain, Bridgett said Let's work out!!  So Kat gave her some exercises for the legs to do....lunges, calf raises, squats and leg lifts from a standing position.  So, we will work on those at home until next week when we see Kat again.  I gave Bridgett some Advil that for the pain when we got to the car, and by the time we got home, Bridgett did not want to use the tens unit any more.  At home we did the tuning forks and the rice bag and she was much better by evening. 

Third year Day 193 - Tuesday June 24, 2014

Bridgett and I found one of her old CD's that is labeled Heather's mix.  Heather is one of her cousins and they were close growing up.  Anyway, I played it for Bridgett and she had a great time.  She of course remembers every word!  (she even showed me the dance moves to the cha cha slide) That's one thing crazy to the rest of us......even though there are many things she doesn't remember, she always remembers like every word to like every song she's ever heard!  Bridgett is feeling good today.  In fact, in her journal (that Lynn Beauclair is having her keep) she wrote "I feel great, awesome, superb, fantastic, and everything with great words!!"

Third year Day 192 - Monday June 23, 2014

Today Bridgett had speech therapy scheduled, but since her neck has been hurting so much we had to call and cancel:(  By afternoon she was doing better and was able to ride for 26 minutes on the stationary bike.  She still does love bike riding and actually has asked Arrianne to take her bike riding outside. Arri said that Bridgett would have to talk to Mark and I first to get permission before she would take her.  Then however, Bridgett said to Arri, it hurts to lift my head up very high, so you can watch for cars and let me know so that I don't get hit.  Arri said, well no, you almost got killed once and if you might not be able to see then I'm for sure not taking you out again!

Third year Day 191 - Sunday June 22, 2014

Another hard Sunday, with Bridgett in pain so we didn't go to church today.  Mark's convention was over last night, so he drove to his folks place in Three Forks and stayed there.  He went to church with them and then ate some dinner and headed home.  It was great to have him back!  By evening Bridgett was feeling just a little bit better.  We all played some games together and then sat around and talked.  I don't know if Bridgett will be feeling well enough to go to speech therapy tomorrow or not.  We'll see in the morning......

Second year Day 190 - Saturday June 21, 2014

Today Bridgett was remembering about one of her friends in high school...Annie Egley. She said to me, didn't we get to her house by leaving the log house and turning right up the highway and then driving out there for a while to another little town?  Yes, it was Kila I told her.  She remembers going to their house and hanging out.  She was also thinking about the creek at our log house, and how it would dry up in the summer many years.  Also we talked about how Mark would "smooth" it out with the plow attached to the four wheeler when it was iced up so that we could try to ice skate on it.  Still Woodland Park was a better place for ice skating, but it was kind of fun to be able to ice skate at the house.  I used to take the kids ice skating and also to play ice hockey at Woodland Park.  I taught all of the kids to ice skate.  It was a tradition of ours to go to Woodland Park on Christmas Day (except when it was on a Sunday) and go ice skating, while Mark had a nap at home.  It was something at the kids and I really liked to do together.  When we first moved out here we ice skated her as well.  Mark found a way to drive down to the lake here and plow the ice as well, but it was much bumpier here and actually didn't work at all:(

Third year Day 189 - Friday June 20, 2014

I took Arrianne to Michelle Helwigs office today to see about her throat.  She has had this very sore place in her throat for several days and it's something that she's had before.  It feels like a cut in her throat.  Michelle said that it is a cold sore in her throat, of all things!  Who knew that could happen!  Arrianne said, at least it's where people don't see it! Michelle gave her something that will clear it up in two days, and then refills to use at the first sign if it's return.  Good!  Apparently Lysine helps for prevention.  I will have to check out getting some for her. Today Bridgett was remembering about reunion at papa and grandmas house in Elmo.  She talked about the pavilion and described it to me.  She was remembering grandma and others staying up late to play cards in the pavilion.  She was also remembering the blue paddle boat that the kids like to play in. I'm glad she's remembering things about her childhood.  These memories are things that we haven't talked about yet, so it's very apparent that she's remembering them on her own.

Third year Day 188 - Thursday June 19, 2014

Another question Bridgett couldn't remember was if Florida is in the north or south.  This is consistent with the fact that she can't remember geography very well.  This is something that we need to work on.  Bob wanted her to work on a puzzle of the US.  We did for a while, but quit that.  I guess it is time to revisit that puzzle!  Also, I did download an app that helps with US geography.  Sometimes we need a nudge remembering what to work on!!  Mark is at the Republican Convention in Billings this weekend.

Third year Day 187 - Wednesday June 18, 2014

Many years ago when the kids were young, I bought some game called Brain Quest.  Brain Quest is a series of educational flashcards that quiz children on a variety of subjects including Science, Math, English, Geology, History and others.  The cards are divided into double decks, sold by the grade, one through six.  Anyway, back then the kids really had fun when I asked them questions, so I thought, why not do them with Bridgett and see what she remembers and where some of the holes are.  Interesting experiment!  I started out with the first grade cards. She breezed through most of the questions, but there were a few notable gaps in her memory.  One of the questions....what is the nations capitol?  She asked me....what is a nation?  Then we had a little discussion on that question.  She did know the answer, once she understood the question.  Another question that she did not remember....which direction would you travel to see Santa Claus?  She couldn't remember that one at all.  After Tyler prompted her that he lived at one of the poles, she remembered the north pole.  Anyway, it was interesting and instructive for me to see what she remembered.  We will continue with a few pages of questions every day.  

Third year Day 186 - Tuesday June 17, 2014

Bridgett was supposed to meet with Kat today for physical therapy, but we got a call early this morning that Kat was sick.  Bridgett was disappointed, although it was probably for the best because by the time the appointment would have happened, she was feeling miserable herself.  Terrible cramps!  So, it all worked out for the best I guess.  Hopefully it won't be long until she can actually see us......

Third year Day 185 - Monday June 16, 2014

Today was our second appointment with Lynn Beauclair, the speech therapist.  We are seeing her for cognitive and memory issues, not speech per se.  I was a little discouraged at the end of the last appointment, as Lynn indicated that she thought Bridgett did not score any better then she had previously at the end of 2012.  However, I did ask that she get me a copy of the report to give to me today to read over and to forward to Glenda.  I was surprised the, upon reading the report, that she had made some significant improvements......In the attention category, she moved from the 3rd to the 27th percentile rank, which Lynn indicated was within the normal range now.  (I will ask her if she can give me a breakdown of what percentiles are in the normal range)  Also, in the visual spatial/constructional category, she moved from the 30th to the 63rd percentile rank!  The other three categories tested were all memory related, and of course, she did very poorly in these ranges.  This is of course what we are trying to work on!  Also, we had a short discussion on the Rancho Scale.  Below is a very brief breakdown of the Rancho Scale.

The Ranchos Los Amigos Scale measures the levels of awareness, cognition, behavior and interaction with the environment.

Ranchos Los Amigos Scale

Level I: No Response
Level II: Generalized Response
Level III: Localized Response
Level IV: Confused-agitated
Level V: Confused-inappropriate
Level VI: Confused-appropriate
Level VII: Automatic-appropriate

Level VIII: Purposeful-appropriate

Lynn said that although she has been working for years with the Rancho scale, it does not work with Bridgett!  She said that Bridgett is at level 8 in someways and at level 5-6 in other ways.  She said that using the Rancho scale, it is impossible to categorize Bridgett.  Well, I do believe that her brain is healing in certain areas quicker than in other areas.  And, we were told that as long as she is improving, no matter the pace, that we should feel hope for more improvement.  So, we have hope, yes, hope!  

Bridgett did great for 40 minutes of the appointment, then she all of the sudden got that feeling that she was going to pass out.  At that point, she had been showing Lynn what she had done in her physical therapy appointment last week.  She was demonstrating the correct way to do lunges.  She remembers what she had been taught about the teaching others to do these things, and she did a great job of instructing I thought.  Anyway, suddenly she thought she would pass out or throw up, so they got her a tub to hold and she just sat quietly while Lynn and I talked for about 10-12 minutes.  Then she and Lynn worked a little more after that, just quietly and with no stress.  

Third year Day 184 - Sunday June 15, 2014

Today Bridgett woke up and felt great and got ready for church.  We got in the car and drove to church, but Bridgett started feeling sick almost the minute we left.  By the time we got to the church, she was not doing great at all, but still wanted to go.  We walked into the building and made it only a few steps in before she had to stop or she was going to vomit.  This happens to her from time to time and it is usually brain related.  Anyway, eventually we made it to the foyer and sat on the couch.  I tried to find Mark, but couldn't see him where he usually sits, only his books.  We sat there during the sacrament and then Mark showed up.  He had been blessing the sacrament.  Bridgett was doing a tad bit better, but still feeling awful.  He helped me get her out to the car and we headed home.  At least we got the sacrament:) 

Third year Day 183 - Saturday June 14, 2014

Today I did some research on the Ketogenic Diet.  Dr. Jen Hawes said that maybe it is something that Bridgett should try out.  There is some very interesting research, although its hard to be convinced simply by studies done on rats:)  But, in seriousness, it seems that it could be beneficial to her.  I will talk to Faith about it and see what she thinks.  The diet is basically a low carb diet that puts the body into a state of ketosis.  Ketosis is a metabolic process where the body cells burn fats instead of glucose for energy.  I looked at some sample menus, and the first drawback will be working around her allergies-yuck!  Well, we will discuss the whole thing and try to decide what to do.....

Third year Day 182 - Friday June 13, 2014

Today a guy came to work on the hot tub, as there's something wrong with it.  Bridgett said she'd love to just sit in it when her neck is hurting, but we can't get it up and running until he orders in a part.  I think that everyone will be glad when it's up and running!  Especially everyone loves to sit in it after they swim in the COLD water and are freezing!! Bridgett is still talking about swimming every day for exercise.  It will be a while until she can actually do that, but hopefully we will be able to get in to see a physical therapist soon.  Her first appointment with Kat Ingalls is scheduled for June 17th. 

Third year Day 181 - Thursday June 12, 2014

Today all of the sudden Bridgett laughed and so I asked her what was funny.  She was thinking about the book Twilight, when Alice and Edward play chess.   Alice wins the game after they each only make one move, since Edward can read minds and Alice can see the future!  It was a funny part of the book and its fun that she's remembering it.  Bridgett read that book before her accident, at the same time as her cousin Heather.  Of course, she has reread it since the accident, but still, anything she can remember is great at this point!

Third year Day 180 - Wednesday June 11, 2014

Today Bridgett and I both decided to take a nap.  I mean we were just both tired out!  We went to the bedroom and got all ready and as soon as it was quiet, we could hear a barking dog.  It just keep on barking and barking.  Finally Bridgett said to me, how come our neighbors used to get so angry at our dogs for barking  and other peoples dogs bark too and they just let them bark and bark??  Just listen to that!  Well, one of our neighbors did get upset with our dogs, but since I didn't let them out until after 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning and I had them back in the house by 10:00 at night, it wasn't so bad.  Also, any time they barked and barked I called them into the house.  It was a constant worry for me, fear of making the neighbors upset when the dogs barked.  Our dogs just weren't allowed to make much noise.  And the neighbors were pretty mean about it.  Oh, well, both dogs are gone now, so I guess they are happy:( 

Third year Day 179 - Tuesday June 10, 2014

Today we got an email telling us that Bridgett had been accepted to the Orem Chapter of the BYUI Pathways program!  We are all very excited about this opportunity that she will have starting in September!  Thanks for telling us about it Penny and Courtney!  Penny and Courtney will be coming to Glacier Park this summer and we hope to be able to see them and talk for a bit.  That reminds me, I need to get ahold of you Penny!  Sometimes life is just crazy around here and really I'm doing good to call my mom and my married kids every few days:)

Third year Day 178 - Monday June 9, 2014

Today we had an appointment with Lynn Beauclair.  She is the speech therapist we saw last year.  We haven't been able to take time to see anyone for many many months, but we are getting back to it now.  Lynn was pretty surprised at how well Bridgett was doing now. Physically she is alot better or I should say painwise.  She was able to sit through the entire hour of testing, without asking if she could get up once to pace around.  And mind you they were testing, so it was fairly intense.  Bridgett got a kick out of most of the testing and really had a fun time.  Lynn had someone shadowing her who sat in on the appointment.  Bridgett had a really great time talking and interacting with them.  It does remind me that Bridgett is in her element when she is feeling good and able to interact with people.  Lynn asked her about her friends and Bridgett said she hangs out with her family.  She said you know my old friends had their lives and they had to go on with them.  It's just how things are!  Pretty good reasoning, huh!

Third year Day 177 - Sunday June 8, 2014

Bridgett got up and got ready for church.  Almost the first thing she said to me was, I was supposed to remember to think about Sister Stanfill today during church, right!!  She remembered by herself and we hadn't discussed it all week!! This was major for me!!  This was one of the most exciting thing for me!!  Thanks Alicia for asking Bridgett to think about you!!

Third year Day 176 - Saturday June 7, 2014

This morning Bridgett said, was it Sally Delby or Sally Conrad that we took Irish Dance lessons from? First of all, she only took lessons for two months!  Anyway, I said, actually it was both!  She was Sally Delby when you started taking lessons.  Towards the end of the girls taking lessons, she got divorced, and went back to her maiden name, Sally Conrad.  So, both names are correct!  It was another one of those random memories! 

Third year Day 175 - Friday June 6, 2014

Today is Stephany's 18th birthday!  Wow!  Our baby is now an adult!  We only have adult children now! We celebrated with the family in the morning, because Mark had to leave to Utah by noon.  He had political meetings last night, so we couldn't celebrate early.  So, we had breakfast together and sang, did presents, and blew out the candles; no one wanted cake in the morning:)  It was a nice relaxing morning and we all had fun.  Stephany still isn't feeling well enough to do much.  Arrianne offered to take her to a movie, but that's too long for her.  But, we had hamburgers for dinner (gluten free buns).  It was a splurge, because Stephany and Bridgett are both allergic to beef, but I said for your birthday it won't hurt just this once.  Also we had potato salad, watermelon and corn on the cob.  This is really Stephany's traditional birthday dinner.  I good old summer time meal!  Mark made it to Utah safely.  He has a reunion tomorrow morning, in Goshen.  He will stay at the new place and then plan to visit Scott and Jenn before coming home.  Neither of them will be able to attend the reunion.  Mark took down some beds for the place so when Bridgett and I go down next month we will be set up to stay there.  At the last minute, Arrianne reminded him to take a fan.  He said that when he got there it was 77 in the house, so he was really glad he had the fan to cool him off until the air conditioning could catch up.  We had left everything turned off, including the air conditioning, of course. 

Third year Day 174 - Thursday June 5, 2014

Today I woke up and remembered that during the night I had awakened with an idea.  I will call to the Pulmonary Doctors and talk to an administrator.  Maybe they can get it removed from collection from their end.  Then of course, I remembered that their office is so hard to get a hold of!  The phone number on the statement is for the billing office only, and they almost never answer their phone.  You just get a recording.  Twice before I had to call the hospital to get a phone number, and then you get a menu to choose from and the only extension that ever answers is the gal that schedule appointments, and she mostly doesn't answer either!  I figure they mostly work with people in the hospital, so they don't really have to answer any of the phones!  Whatever!  So, anyway, I called around and finally got a schedule person to answer.  She put me in touch with Teri, who supposedly is the office manager.  I spoke to her and explained the situation.  She looked in the computer and said that she could see that we paid that amount back in 2012, but that the payment wasn't applied to those invoices.  In fact, she couldn't figure out if it had been applied to any invoices.  She said that she would check it out and then get back to me.  I held off on mailing the certified letter, hoping that we just get it worked out from this end and removed from collection.  We'll see! 

Third year Day 173 - Wednesday June 4, 2014

Well, you'll never believe it, but I received a collection letter from the Utah Pulmonary Doctors!  I mean, it was May of 2013 when I received their last bill, and finally got all of the kinks worked out so that would be paid. They had been sending those last three invoices with some of the information missing, but finally did it correctly and the insurance company paid them.  I have EOB's showing the checks they received. Now, they have picked out two little invoices, totaling $234.00, which were paid back in 2012 personally by me, and they have sent those to collection.  They seriously have mayhem in their billing department!! I called the collection agency and tried to explain, offering to fax proof or email it, but they don't accept faxes or emails!  Can you believe that!  Also, they said that I had like less than 20 days to prove to them that I paid the invoices or Bridgett will be sent to collection.  They expect me to send them a detailed letter, along with photocopies to substantiate it.  I said, it's taken over 10 days for me to get your letter. You mean if you don't get this exactly in time, you will send it anyway?  Can't you make a note and give it a few extra days?  There answer was a not friendly NO.  GRRRRR!  It gets so frustrating dealing with these things!  And, I finally thought it was all paid and DONE!  Well, I got the letter written and photocopied up the proof, and now I will have Mark take it and mail it certified tomorrow.  Brother!

Third year Day 172 - Tuesday June 3, 2014

So we got Stephany's heavy metal test back.  One of the practioners thought she might have mercury poisoning, so we did this test.  Actually, her mercury level was fine, but we did find out that she had high levels of lead and cesium.  I've never even heard of cesium!  So, now that we had already had the water tested for mercury and a bunch of other things, we need to test again for these specific metals.  It's all a big puzzle and we are trying to figure it all out!  Today I went online and helped Bridgett apply for the Pathways program in Orem.  Now we will wait and see what happens, but we are excited about it.  Orem is a new location and they don't have an assigned missionary couple yet, so now I am left wondering if they will have enough people sign up and if they will be able to have the program there for sure.  Otherwise, we'd have to pick another location and hope there is room there still.  Well, no sense in worrying.  I'm sure it will all work out.

Third year Day 171 - Monday June 2, 2014

We continue to watch hummingbirds out the large dining room windows.  I'm just loving it, and surprisingly, so is everyone else (even those who didn't like the idea at first).  When I was young and lived in College Station, Texas, we had lots of big windows.  We lived in a beautiful neighborhood, and our place was a block long.  There was a stream flowing through the back edge of the property and there were hundreds of birds daily.  Each morning and evening we could sit and listen to the birds and watch them.  We even had male cardinals (so pretty) and that was so fun to see.  Mom had a big birding book, and we would identify birds.  I really loved that and I have missed seeing so many birds. 

Third year Day 170 - Sunday June 1, 2014

This morning before church, I talked to Bridgett about something a therapist told me long ago regarding TBI.  She said, Bridgett still has all of the information in her brain that she used to have, she just can't access it well.  She said to think back to the old library card catalog drawers.  If someone dumped them all out on the ground (there'd be LOTS of them), and then asked you to find a certain card, would it be hard to do?  Yes, and that is a somewhat simplified explanation of what has happened to Bridgett's brain (and everyone else whose had a severe TBI).  So, she is in the process of reorganizing all of those cards, to get them back in a place where she can find them again.  This takes time.  So, Bridgett and I talked about this.  She understand the concept, although I'm not sure if she can picture the card catalog boxes:)  We went to church today and had an amazing day.  Today was fast Sunday, and right away Bridgett turned to me and asked if she could go up and bear her testimony.  I told her to ask her dad (she was sitting between us).  I wanted to make sure that he approved so he wouldn't say later, why did you let her do that!  Anyway, he said that would be nice and then I panicked and thought, I will just lose it and sob while on the stand with her, so I told her to ask Mark to go up with her, which he did.  When it was her turn, she got up very composedly and greeted everyone and then bore her testimony.  It was amazing!  I was so happy and I was trying very hard not to sob out loud so that everyone would hear me (including Bridgett).  She looked beautiful up there and my heart was so full!  Afterwards, Mark bore his testimony and then they both came back.  My heart had been racing and I had been crying, but I hugged her and I was so proud of her.  Later on I got up as well, after I was more composed.  After the meeting Bridgett wanted to speak to Alicia Stanfill.  Actually during the meeting she said to me, see that women in a red jacket?  That's Sister Stanfill, I can tell from the back.  Sister Stanfill was Bridgett's seminary teacher for two years.  Anyway, Bridgett feels a special closeness with her.  They spoke for a few minutes, and then Bridgett said, I'll see you next week.  Alicia said, oh Bridgett, next week Vern and I will be in Billings (he's an area rep now), but let's do this.  I will think about you and you think about me on next Sunday, OK?  Bridgett was excited and said OK.  We told Mark and the kids later that day.  Bridgett was really excited about it.

Third year Day 169 - Saturday May 31, 2014

Today was our 34th anniversary!  34 wonderful years!  I am so thankful to my husband for everything we share together.  We met when I was 17, so this is the point where I've known him for 2/3 of my life!  We had a great day together! We wanted to go out and eat, but since I'm being really careful with my macrobiotic practice right now, there are not many options.  I can have fish and so salmon was a good choice.  However, every place I called in Bigfork only has sweeten salmon (yuck from my perspective) and so we settled on Applebee's in Kalispell.  Nothing fancy, but good.  We also wanted to look at some decking at Home Depot, so it all worked out.  It seemed fun (and weird) to take our time shopping, and eating out together.  Scott called the house and the kids told him we were gone to town alone and he said WHAT?  Hah!  Jenn was also amazed!  But, it was very nice to just get to be alone and talk and not to have to rush back for something.  Later on in the evening, we all played a game of hand and foot (cards) with the kids.  All in all it was a very fun, and relaxing day.  Thanks honey for 34 amazing years!  I told the kids that when we got married, we thought it was so weird that people said after so many years they loved each other more than they did before.  We loved each other so much, I just couldn't picture it.  Well, after 34 years, what we realize is that we love each other just as much (which is probably saying a lot to people now a days!), but now we can say that we survived that many years together as well.  We made it through the hard times, we pulled together when we could have pulled apart, we worked together to work things out, and well, we just hung in there and worked to keep that love alive!  I love you so much honey!

Third year Day 168 - Friday May 30, 2014

Today was my mother-in-laws 83rd birthday.  Happy Birthday Beth!  We called and sang to her; she's amazing and going strong!  A funny thing happened today.  Bridgett went into my room to take a nap.  She often feels chilly (her internal thermostat has not ever really normalized since the wreck) so she kept her hoodie on, as always.  I had to sneak into the room and I saw that she had pulled the string tight so that the hoodie was covering her face all the way, with only her nose peeking out!  It looked hilarious and I had a hard time not laughing out loud! 

Third year Day 167 - Thursday May 29, 2014

Today was a hectic day for sure!  Mark stayed home in the morning and played games with Bridgett.  I took Stephany into town for appointments.  First we went to Vern's and saw him about many issues.  Second we went to Dr. Stebbins for a retainer check.  Everything was fine there and he said maybe get a new set of retainers before fall.  Then we went next door to Dr. Colonna's office.  So, Stephany has needed to get this taken care of for a long time, but during the time she had braces, there was a problem. Dr. Han had to remove one of the clear brackets on an upper tooth, and when he did that, part of the enamel was pulled off.  He did a temporary fix on the tooth, and then said that we needed to see a dentist to get it fixed for real, after Stephany's braces were off.  This of course caused Stephany stress and worry when she actually had all of the brackets removed. However, Dr. Stebbins removed them himself and there was no problem. So, when we saw Dr. Colonna today he explained that the "break" in the tooth was actually very significant.  He kept calling it a fracture.  I finally said, you mean the tooth actually broke?  He said, actually, yes.  It broke up under the gum and it was a significant break.  It took him about an hour to get it fixed.  It was a little nerve racking to sit there and watch (and worry!).  Sometimes I wish I could turn off that worry part of the mind!  Anyway, it finally was finished and we were able to head home, after stopping for a few groceries.  At least its done now, finally!  Stephany was putting it off because she was worried about it.  Also, Dr. Hans temporary "fix" was doing just fine so there was no worry about hurrying it up, at least that we could see.  Stephany had to get feeling good enough to go in to get it done.  She doesn't feel that good yet, but at least good enough to get it fixed finally.  BTW Dr. Stebbins office is paying Dr. Colonna's bill.  Thanks Dr. Stebbins:) 

Third year Day 166 - Wednesday May 28, 2014

Bridgett always used to have her special names she called me (sweet, nice names) and sometimes I miss having her call me those names.  Today I said to her, do you remember the name you used to call me?  She said, mother dearest!  She remembered!  So, she called me that and I do love the sound of that name:)  If only she spontaneously did that from time to time again....

Third year Day 165 - Tuesday May 27, 2014

I forgot to mention that I ordered a hummingbird feeder from Amazon and put it up.  I love birds and love to watch them. The feeder is the Aspects 407 Jewel Box Window Hummingbird Feeder.  It attaches by suction to the window and the birds then are so close and fun to watch.  Everyone has been enjoying watching them!  We have seen so many differents hummingbirds already.  Also we are able to see first hand that they are territorial.  One will come and when a second one comes up the first one leaves.  Sometimes they chase each other away.  Almost all of the time you can see a bird if you just wait for a few minutes.  My chair at the table is directly opposite the feeder, so I have a great view. Of course, I'm the one who really loves watching:)  I have my Audubon Society field guide to birds of North America, and I have been looking them up.  However, there are many different variations, that's for sure!  Some are just gorgeous (males).  Anyway, its been fun for me and relaxing as well!  Bridgett says neat but could really care less:)

Third year Day 164 - Monday May 26, 2014

Memorial Day.  Quiet day here.  We puttered around the yard and Mark did some scraping of paint on the eves off the back deck.  We played monopoly and lived through it.  Actually it was farmopoly; Bridgett and I bought it for Mark a while back and its our first time playing it.  There are so many different versions of monopoly!  Bridgett has dogopoly, from the dog.  The hardest thing was figuring out if you had been landed on, because everyone knows the properties on the original monopoly and we didn't have a clue on these ones:)

Third year Day 163 - Sunday May 25, 2014

Today was another day that Bridgett felt good enough to go to church.  She was able to sit through most of the meeting, and then Mark again walked with her in the halls.  Stephany and Arrianne were able to go to church at the singles ward in Lakeside for the second week in a row.  Stephany still has bad mornings, but by the time church starts there she is able to attend since its in the afternoon.  YES!

Third year Day 162 - Saturday May 24, 2014

Today Bridgett sat down and played the piano, which she does from time to time.  She turned to me and said, aren't the top line of notes "every good boy does fine" and the bottom line of notes "good boys do fine always"?  Yes!  She remembers those little phrases to that everyone learns to remind them of the names of the notes on the staff.  This is the first time she's remembered that, and spontaneously too!  I have never reminded her of that since the wreck.  Bridgett took piano lessons from a woman here in Ferndale her senior year.  I wonder if she has any openings and would be willing to work with Bridgett again.  Of course, I use to teach piano, but it's just hard to be everything to everybody!  I have lots of responsibilites, many of which cannot be passed to someone else, so if I can find someone to help out with some things, I'm going to!

Third year Day 161 - Friday May 23, 2014

Today Bridgett remembered that there is a creek on our property in town at the log house.  She all of the sudden remembered the creek and the willow trees and the "tree house" they had out there.  We talked about walking in the fields with the cows and horses and climbing the trees, etc.  It was very fun for her to remember and think of all of the fun times the kids had there in the field.  She has now also remembered walking the barbed wire fence, checking the electric fence, riding the four wheeler, feeding the cows, etc.  Yes!!  It's not like she remembers big blocks of her life though.  She just remembers little bits and pieces, here and there, etc.  There is still a whole lot she hasn't remembered yet, but as she still is remembering things every day or so, we are still very hopeful that she will eventually remember many things about her life. 

Third year Day 160 - Thursday May 22, 2014

I was listening to some music today and happened to listen to Lovely Rita Meter Maid by the Beatles.  Anyway, remember how they say "military" man, kind of like militry?  Well, that's how Bridgett always likes to pronoun it, although she knows its not the way that every one else would say it; she just likes the way it sounds.  When she heard the Beatles sing it that way, she said, I love the Beatles!  I just love it that they talk like I do!  

Third year Day 159 - Wednesday May 21, 2014

Today Bridgett had one of her days where she was asking me a lot of deep doctrinal questions.  She is funny because she says, I'm sorry, but I just want to know!  Today she said, I'm sorry for asking so many questions but it's not like God's my right hand man and I can just ask Him questions whenever I want!!  AAhhhhh, never a dull moment with Bridgett around!  So, anyway, as always, I tried to answer the questions that I could and then finally I told her that some things we just don't know the answers to and probably won't in this life! 

Third year Day 158 - Tuesday May 20, 2014

Another appointment with Dr. Jen Hawes today.  All of my girls have such messed up hormones!  It's hard to understand since I never had any problems when I was young.  But, we just work to adjust things as we can.  All of them are on various supplements to regulate their hormones.  Bridgett did try going on birth control pills after losing her ovary, but had disastrous results.  She was on two different pills, but both made her feel like she was morning sick all of the time (sounds familiar, right, just like I am when I am pregnant), and she was actually so nauseous that she even vomited off and on.  She was just miserable all of the time, and finally had to quit her job because she missed so many days.  At length, she came home to Montana and spent several months here so that I could help her.  Final outcome---stop taking the pill.  Now, after trying to regulate everyone without birth control pills for so long, we are at the point to deciding to try it.  Especially for Arrianne, who has had years of problems, and is now at the point of having a couple of days a month that she's entirely useless.  Migraines, etc.  We have tried everything natural under the sun, to no avail.  So, she finally tried the pill and made it for 10 days and had to stop.  I know it takes a bit of time to adjust, but she had horrible migraines every day and terrible cramping, spotting, face breaking out, etc. the entire time.  So, she needed to stop.  We met with Jen today to get another answer, which was to switch to something else.  Apparently the amount of estrogen in the pill she was taking it too high and so she will switch to something else next month.  Arrianne is going to be the guinea pig for the girls.  We'll see how she does and if all goes well, we'll try it for the other girls:)  Bridgett and Arrianne have the profile of PCOS, Polycystic ovary syndrome.  Bummer!

Third year Day 157 - Monday May 19, 2014

Today Stephany did a test for Mercury in her body.  The test was a four hour test and then had to be picked up by FedEx and sent to the lab.  It was a strange thing about the pick up.  I scheduled it last week, and so we could plan which day to do it.  They said that they could never pick it up after 12:00, and we couldn't finish the test before 12:00, so I had to schedule to have it picked up the next day (Tuesday).  Then it turned out that the local guys called this afternoon and said they could never pick it up before 2:00 and so it would have to be later tomorrow. Whatever!  Apparently the toll free number guys are not too good about knowing what the local guys really do!  The test has been mailed now, and we will await the results.  Meanwhile, Mark got a sample kit from ME Labs, so that he could test the water.  We have been needing to do that for a while but just haven't gotten around to it.  So, we'll see what the water sample shows.

Third year Day 156 - Sunday May 18, 2014

It's kind of amazing in a cool way, that every Sunday Bridgett wakes up and knows it is Sunday.  She always wants to get ready for church, but sometimes after getting ready she is in too much pain to go to church:(  But at least her intent is to go.  Also, sometimes by the time we get to church she is feeling less than good.  There has only been twice that we had to turn around and go back without going inside.  Or, many times she gets there and after 30 minutes she is completely done in and needs to leave.  Today she made it through most of the meeting, and only had to get up and walk for the last 15 minutes.  Mark offered to walk with her and so around and around the building they went.  Our hallways go around the entire building, go it is a perfect course for walking:)

Third year Day 155 - Saturday May 17, 2014

Today I spent some time on the internet, researching about Namenda and Aricept. It turns out that Aricept has the fewest side effects and actually I was very concerned about the side effects of the Namenda. I will talk to Faith about it; for now, we will just wait and see.  Actually, I should get a hold of Bob and Glenda and get their opinion as well. 

Third year Day 154 - Friday May 16, 2014

This morning the girls stayed home and Mark drove me into the cemetery to Chris's grave.  I know that the tulips I bought won't last too long, but I do want to leave them there anyway.  I forgot to explain that one reason why I had a hard time finding the grave is that there isn't a headstone there yet.  However, Julie said that there is a solar light and a little flag at the head of the grave.  She also gave me marker number and row, but I called and talked to the cemetery and they said you need three coordinates to find the grave.  Although he explained the location, I left those notes home accidentally, but Mark drove almost exactly to the spot and we only wandered around looking for about one minute before finding it.  Last night I sat in the beauty of the cemetery and had some tears of love and remembrance.  I was a little more subdued today.  I placed the tulips and then got a few pictures.  Mom asked me to send her a picture and so while I was at it I sent one to Julie as well.  Apparently she, Stratton, and Kennedy are leaving this weekend to Utah for a couple of weeks. 

Third year Day 153 - Thursday May 15, 2014

This morning Bridgett had an appointment with Dr. Bret Lindsay in Kalispell.  We really like him.  Bridgett was funny as always.  First of all, the nurse was a man and when we got into the examination room, there were two of those stools that roll.  He went to sit on one and she said she wanted to sit on the other one instead of the regular chair.  Then she proceeded to just have a great time rolling around the room and chatting, and laughing with the nurse. When Dr. Lindsay came in, she had a great time talking to him.  I was remembering when she first met with him, how she couldn't sit for more than like five minutes.  Then every time she has been better about sitting and talking.  The last time we saw him, about nine months ago, she probably sat for like 20 minutes and talked to him.  So today we were there for like almost an hour and she sat for the entire time and talked to him.  I even offered to have Mark walk with her (so I could take alone with Dr. Lindsay) but she declined and said that she was doing just fine and could stay in the room.  So, I didn't talk alone with him!  Anyway, we talked about more physical therapy for Bridgett.  I told him that for the past two months, Bridgett has been telling me that she wants to swim this summer, twice every day, out to the sand bar in our bay.  Of course, she can't swim without more physical therapy, because of her neck. Really, her neck is doing so much better, but the muscles are weak and need to be strengthened. He gave us a prescription for that.  Next we talked about speech therapy, which at this point we would do strictly for help with memory and cognition.  He gave us a prescription for that. He said that Lynn Beauclair, who we saw before, is probably the best in the valley in that regard. Next we talked about medication.  The Aricept did not work out for her so he gave us another prescription to try called Namenda, which he said had fewer side effects.  However, he did say that with her intermittent dizziness problems, it might not work.  I will go home and read more about it.  We asked him about a psyiatrist that Richard Taylor told us about, and he said he'd set up an appointment with her for us.  She apparently does some kind of brain stimulation.  We don't know much about it, but we will meet with her and talk about it.  We briefly talked about weight issues, and he said that many people have problems with weight after a brain injury.  He had no other suggestions about that.  So ended our appointment with Dr. Lindsay.  Later in the evening I had an appointment at the stake center for an interview;  I met with President Thorderson.  He started out by saying that he had just had a text message from Brita.  That got me thinking about Bridgett and texting.  I really miss those days of talking on the phone with her and texting her about things.  It made me sad to think about it and so I tried not to dwell on it too much.  At the stake center, I saw several of my friends and got to visit really quick with them, including Meridel Barden (big hugs!), Jill Reichner, Anita Bergman and Bob and Ginny Reed.  Oh, right before my interview, I stopped and got some beautiful tulips and went to the Conrad Cemetery and tried to find Chris's grave.  Remember that I was here when he passed, but the funeral was delayed and I had to leave and take Bridgett to Utah as she was in such pain.  Otherwise I would have cancelled and stayed here.  Anyway, I never have been to the cemetery, and I have been thinking about it for about a month and wanting to go.  I tried to follow Mark's description, but couldn't find the grave.  I finally left and will try again with Mark. 

Third year Day 152 - Wednesday May 14, 2014

Today Bridgett said, didn't we use to go down the river, down bumpy, wavy water, in this thing that we could all sit in, that was gray and wasn't an inner tube.  I said, do you remember what it is called and she thought for a minute and then said a raft.  Yes!  She described it as light gray with dark gray..correct!  She couldn't remember the word for rapids, but when I gave her the clue of starts with an r, she got it.  Then she couldn't remember where we would go, so I told her down the North Fork.  It's cool when she remembers these things! 

Third year Day 151 - Tuesday May 13, 2014

Today Bridgett remembered that she used to have in her room at the log house (that she shared with Arrianne when she was younger) a long ribbon hanging on the wall with all of their hair bows on it.  She named many of the colors and described some of the different ones.  She could even picture where it was hanging in their room.  Cool!, but random memories:)

Third year Day 150 - Monday May 12, 2014

Today I got a hold of Witheys Health Food Store about buying cashew butter for Bridgett.  Since she is allergic to peanut butter and almond butter we are trying to find a substitute for her.  Her favorite snack is apples with peanut butter, or I should say was peanut butter.  Anyway, we tried sun butter (made with sunflower seeds) but she didn't like that.  We tried several brands.  Next we tried cashew butter and she liked it.  It's pretty expensive, but Joe Withey offered to let us buy it by the case, so I am going to do that.  The bottles are half the size of almond butter for the same price.  Whatever.  So, my only question now is, will she be prone to getting allergic to cashews easier since she is allergic to other nuts.  Note to self....find out!

Third year Day 149 - Sunday May 11, 2014

Today is Mother's Day.  Arrianne stayed home with the girls and I got to go to church with Mark.  It was great to have a chance to be at church, as it has been many weeks since I got to go and even longer since I got to sit through an entire meeting!  Afterwards, the girls and I cooked together and we had a very nice lunch.  I was able to call and talk to my mother, who I love so much.  I got to take a nap (woo hoo) and talk to Jenn and Jaclyn.  The kids played games with Mark and me in the evening.  Mark and the kids bought me a fushia for the front porch and also flowers to plant outside in the back deck planters and I'm excited to get that done.  He and I will go to the nursery by Swan River school  this week and find out why all of my annuals that I plant on the porch seem to die....

Third year Day 148 - Saturday May 10, 2014

Today Bridgett suddenly remembered the movie "Pete's Dragon" and started telling me things and asking a few questions.  For instance, isn't it Pete's dragon that flies to rescue that lady's boy friend?  What's the dragon's name.  I didn't tell her right off and had her think about it and then she remembered Elliott.  Usually if I don't give her the answer and she takes a bit to think about it, she remembers the answer.  Sometimes I may have to give her the first letter of something and then she remembers the name of it or whatever.  Overall she remembers words and names pretty well.  People from the past...not so much.  Their names, yes. But actual incidents, no.  That is not many of those incidents, but more and more all of the time.  I remember talking on the phone to one of the corporate people with Bridgett's health insurance.  The lady said that her sister was 16 years old, crossing the highway on foot in the fog, and struck by a semi.  She said that her sister has never remembered anything before the accident, and it is now 20 years later.  She said the sad thing is that their mother died a couple of years before the accident, and so she doesn't remember anything about her mother.  She said that when they all get together, the sister gets mad if they talk about the past, because she doesn't remember anything about it.  Actually, I think that has helped Bridgett, to talk about stories from the past.  Maybe if that girl's mother had been alive, she would have helped her remember things, but who knows.  I'm just glad that Bridgett is remembering things, even if it is slowly.....

Third year Day 147 - Friday May 9, 2014

Bridgett has been feeling just kind of exhausted lately. Overall she is not having a bunch of pain, just not feeling good especially by evening.  She is eating very carefully and overall is having fewer stomach aches.  It's hard to pin point some things because they could be attributed to brain issues or actually other issues.  I will keep watching it and discuss it with her doctor if it keeps up.  Her hormones are way off and that might be the cause.  We have an appointment set up for the 20th to discuss hormone issues.....

Third year Day 146 - Thursday May 8, 2014

Today Bridgett remembered about grandma Noland's big bean bag that she used to have in the living room.  You could fit several people on it and everyone loved to have the chance to sink into the softness!  I guess that every time we went to grandma's house, it was a favorite spot for all of the kids.  I'm glad she remembers!

Third year Day 145 - Wednesday May 7, 2014

Arrianne's day to get her teeth cleaned.  Bridgett helped me out today, organizing some things around the house.  Actually Bridgett used to love organizing anything and everything.  She still talks about organizing my whole library of books, alphabetically.  I have things in sections of books, like nutrition, religion, parenting, etc.  She usually would come home from Utah and reorganize all of the movies we own, sometimes to the consternation of everyone else, haha. She actually had a real knack for doing that.  I have suggested her helping me many times over the past couple of years, but she usually doesn't feel good enough to really want to do it.  But, today she was enthusiastic and helpful.  We got quite a bit done, and hopefully over this summer we can get lots more done:)

Third year Day 144 - Tuesday May 6, 2014

Today Stephany had a dentist appointment in Whitefish, to get her teeth cleaned.  Arrianne and Bridgett had fun at home while we were gone. It's so nice to have Arrianne around!  They have such a good time together!  We are all having a great time together actually!  Today Bridgett remembered singing together as a family at reunion almost every year, when they have a talent segment.  She remembered the song...."One Tin Soldier" that our family would sing (among others). Mark taught that song to all of us and we really ham it up...especially Mark and the kids! 

Third year Day 143 - Monday May 5, 2014

Cinco de Mayo. When I talked to Bridgett about taking a college class this fall, her first response was, great, now I can make some friends!  She asked if she could get her phone working again so that she can text people:)  That's our Bridgett talking right there!  She was a texting queen!  She even sometimes would text people in her sleep!  I talk in my sleep and sometimes walk in my sleep, as do some of my kids, but I think that Bridgett is the only one in our family who texts in her sleep.  Kind of weird the next day, based on who you texted in your sleep and what you said:)

Third year Day 142 - Sunday May 4, 2014

Mark and Arrianne said they were better, but they both had a relapse today.  Bridgett and Stephany were pretty played out after the drive yesterday, and I didn't have much energy either.  We all rested and slept off and on today.  I was thinking about some funny things that Bridgett said on the trip that I never posted yet.  One day we saw a girl going into Smith's and she was a really cute girl wearing big baggy basketball shorts and a tee shirt with flip flops.  See that girl, Bridgett said, that's how I like to dress and I'm not the only one.  Lots of people dress like that, see! Haha!  It was funny that she remembered that, as she did use to love wearing those big baggy shorts and flip flops.  I always just put it down to being an athlete.  She did wear a cute top though and she always looked cute just because she was.  However, I did at times try to encourage her to dress up a little more.  But, it was Bridgett and she certainly had plenty of dates and guy liked her!  Another funny thing.....we were parking and had the handicap permit in the window.  A policeman went past us and she said, can they give someone a ticket if they park in the handicapped space and don't have a permit or that person isn't in the car?  Yes I said.  She said, well if they stop me I will say, I can park here!  Am I handicapped?  Yo, look at my eyes!  Haha!  You can just picture Bridgett saying that, can't you!  She's a kick!

Third year Day 141 - Saturday May 3, 2014

We left about 8:30, although loading up the cars was a little crazy.  We were on the freeway by 9:00 and hoping to make it home by 8:00.  We will have to stop several times I'm sure.  Actually the girls all did great and we made good time.  Mark followed us (after we got to Ogden and I caught him) and we stopped at our usual places.  When we got to Deer Lodge, Mark wasn't feeling the greatest.  I said that they girls can't tolerate the Swan cut off usually as they get sick on the winding roads.  Also, I needed some groceries from the Good Food Store in Missoula.  I encouraged him to go through the Swan so he could get home faster, and he took me up on it.  He made it home over an hour before us and unloaded Arrianne's car.  We finally got there just before 8:00 and so I felt that we made good time as well.  We were all glad to be home finally!! On the way home, Bridgett and I talked about this....when we used to drive to Utah for medical appointments after the wreck, Bridgett used to say this every time we crossed any kind of Bridge.....on the bridge, off the bridge.  It was really funny that she'd say that EVERY time!  This trip she did ask me how many bridges we cross going home and I have no idea.  However, we do cross a lot and it's an interesting question:)  Another funny thing she said was that she wished someone would figure out how to teleport so that we wouldn't have to drive so much!

Third year Day 140 - Friday May 2, 2014

We hope to leave tomorrow.  Arrianne is feeling much better today, and was able to get her research paper turned in with time to spare....hah!  Just in time actually:)  Mark and I met with the manager and rented the place and then did a walk through and made notes of a few things that needed to be fixed.  I called and got the electricity in our name.  I talked to the bishop's wife and she was really nice.  Bridgett has had several more appointments with Faith this week and is feeling great:)  In the afternoon we all got a much needed nap and I think that I really needed that before driving tomorrow.  We have two cars going back, and although Arrianne's doing better, she can't really drive.  Mark will drive her car and I will drive mine. 

Third year Day 139 - Thursday May 1, 2014

We were supposed to leave tomorrow to go home, but with Arrianne feeling so awful, we have decided to leave Saturday (if we can).  Hopefully she and Mark will be fit for driving/riding by then.  Also, hopefully everyone else will be in good health:)  I still had not been able to get ahold of the manager of the place we were interested in.  I tried several times to reach her but her mailbox is full and she isn't answering texts or the phone.  In desperation I tried again once again, and she answered!  I said I had waited for her and still wanted terribly to see the place, when she told me that another person was going over there.  I said, you know yesterday you promised me that I could be the first to see it.  She said, if you can go over right now, you can be the first.  I was at the time in the car headed to the store, so went directly there and saw the place by myself.  I loved it inside as well.  I called Mark and asked him to come directly over, and he brought Stephany and came immediately.  We then texted that we'd take the place and asked where to come for an application.  The manager texted back that the owners wanted to change the application somewhat and said she'd sent it by email when it was completed.  We left for the hotel, happy but wondering if it would all work out.  Later in the afternoon, Mark's sister Debbie came over to play cards with Mark, Bridgett and me.  Mark picked her up at the Women's conference at the Marriott center, and then took her back when we were done.  We had a fun time together and we were glad that it all worked out. After that Mark and I met Scott at a Chinese restaurant in American Fork and had dinner and talked for quite a while.  It was really great to spend some extra time with Scott this trip.  Jenn and the twins were sick this week, so we weren't able to see them again. Arrianne spent much of the day sleeping and then trying to put together her research paper.  She has until noon tomorrow and will hopefully be done on time.  It was pretty late when we talked to the manager again.  She had emailed the application which we filled out.  She talked to the owners and they decided that we are a good risk, so she'll meet us tomorrow to get the application, sign the lease and actually rent the property.  A busy but good day!

Third year Day 138 - Wednesday April 30, 2014

Today was Arrianne's big day with two back to back two hour finals plus a recording session in the evening.  She was off to the university early and after today she just had a big research paper to finish tomorrow.  Bridgett and I went to the store this morning and on the way back to the room while walking through the lobby she was holding onto my arm; she only sometimes holds onto my arm while walking.  All of the sudden she said, I think it's because of the brain injury, but sometimes I don't feel steady when I walk so if I hold onto you, its because you are my "steady" feeling.  Of course, I know why she does it, but it's good that she realizes why she feels that way.  All of the sudden I had this feeling to look on my phone at the KSL site for a place to rent, and I saw a place that is in Orem and sounds perfect and it had only posted just minutes before.  I immediately called the number, reached the manager and told her I was very interested.  She said that her maintenance man needed to still go by the place and put a lock box on.  She said that I could see it about 7:00 tonight, after the lock box was in place and that she would just give me the code and we could go in and text her as we entered and left. She also assured me that although she had other messages, I was the first person to actually talk to her and so I could see it first. I was so very excited about it that I left immediately for my appointment to get my teeth cleaned so that I could drive past the place and see the neighborhood etc.  I left Bridgett and Stephany at the hotel with Mark sick in bed.  I was just a minute late to the dentist, but very happy that I drove by because I loved the place from the outside.  Later that afternoon, after Arrianne's finals were done I called her and she left campus with one of her friends and met me at the place to just get a peek through the windows.  I saw that the lock box was on the door now, and tried to call to see the place, but only got a message. We really liked what we saw, but had to leave and wait until later.  Arrianne headed back to campus for her recording session and we headed back to the hotel.  Mark feels a little better but I don't know if he will be able to come look at the place tonight or not.  Arrianne won't but she will have to depend on what Stephany, Bridgett and I decide:)  This afternoon we had a weird thing....a fire drill at the hotel.  They had left a letter under our door that there would be a drill, apologizing for the inconvenience.  When it went off, Mark and Bridgett were both resting (not sleeping) and Stephany and I were just leaving the room to go get some food.  Bridgett declined wearing the Bose headphones, but I think it would have been better; at least it didn't last long:)  Mark felt too sick to worry about it at all, so just stayed in the room with Bridgett. We didn't try the elevator because we didn't know if it would work or not.  The alarm was deafening to say the least; but actually worse in the room than in the hall.  There were two guests in the hallway, leaving their room hurriedly, and wondering if the alarm was real or what was happening.  They were foreigners and had a hard time understanding as I tried to explain it was a drill.  I then said NOT REAL, NO FIRE and they understood that thank goodness.  They were trying to find the stairs and walk all the way down.  Stephany and I just waited a few minutes until it was over, then went down, so no problem.  All evening I waited for a text with the code, and I tried the number but wasn't able to reach the manager.  I was very frustrated and by the time it was about 10:00 I gave up for the day.  Arrianne was gone until about 11:00 and then came home exhausted and feeling terrible.  She said all she had all day to eat was two protein bars and she hadn't had much to drink.  She was shaking and I helped her get some Advil and wrap up in blankets and go to sleep.  During the night she woke up and got in a hot bath because she was shaking and cold; then she had to get out because she threw up.  It was a long night....I think her electrolytes are messed up and she is exhausted.  She said she doesn't feel like the flu, but we are all a little more nervous about being able to drive home by Friday......

Third year Day 137 - Tuesday April 29, 2014

Today Bridgett had an appointment to get her teeth cleaned at Dr. Leishman's in Orem.  We have had a long relationship with him; he is the uncle of a guy that dated Jenn before her mission, and he removed Jenn's wisdom teeth.  He is a super nice guy and slowly all of us have been seeing him.  The girls started seeing him when they moved to Provo, and then since we were there all of the time, we started as well.  The gal that cleaned Bridgett's teeth was Tracy and she had cleaned Bridgett's teeth after her wreck and remembered all about Bridgett and her accident.  It was kind of cool really!  She was such a fun person to be around and so she and Bridgett had a great time together.  Bridgett always has her "Bridgettism" words that she kind of makes up and she used one of those words in front of Tracy and Tracy said, you make up words like I do!!  Tracy was very excited about that. I said that Bridgett calls it her speak-a-ging and Tracy had a good laugh at that word. Bridgett and Tracy had a long conversation about these words and then Tracy told Bridgett that she needed to write a book and that she would co-author with her on it.  Bridgett of course thought that was a great idea!  Someone who appreciates her words:)  Then they talked about cars and Tracy has a mini cooper.  She invited Bridgett to come and take a ride in her mini and then Bridgett said OK but maybe Tracy would like a ride in her convertible mustang!  Tracy thought that sounded cool.  All in all it was a very fun appointment for Bridgett, and entertaining for me as well.  Of course, I always get a kick out of the "Bridgettisms" that I hear almost daily, but it was fun for Bridgett to have someone else appreciate her and have so much fun with her:)  Mark threw up during the night last night.  He thinks he has food poisoning.  Everyone is a little worried to be in such close quarters and not get germs if he does have the flu, especially since Arrianne has finals through Thursday........

Third year Day 136 - Monday April 28, 2014

So far this year we have had over 50 hotel nights.  It's so hard to live this way and have no place to cook, and so expensive as well.  We finally have decided to rent a place for next year.  So, this week while Arrianne is having finals, we are on the hunt for the perfect place.  Then our plan will be that Arrianne and Stephany will live there to go to school, and I will stay there with Bridgett and she will try out an online class that we have been checking out.  Then, Mark will come and visit me instead of me driving back and forth so much.  We will do this for the first semester and then re-evaluate for the second semester.  Hopefully it will all work out, and if not, we will do something else:)  I have been in touch with David Bailey, who used to be in the management at Alpine Village.  We've had someone living there for the past four years, so he knows us well.  Also, remember we stayed there after Bridgett left the rehab hospital, for about three months.  Anyway, he's been very helpful and given us some great leads.  We went and looked at one place today, in the graduate housing area of south Provo.  It was nice, but we were not able to commit about it yet.  It will take Arrianne about five more minutes to get to school and she will have to go on the freeway.  So, we will continue looking.