Second year Day 221 - Monday July 22, 2013

Today we headed to Monroe to see Faith. We grabbed some lunch on the way out of town and hit the road. Our appointments with Faith went great. I was so happy that we could see her before we see the ophthalmologist tomorrow, so that Bridgett's pain would be more under control. After the appointments we headed back to Provo. I was hoping to have time to stop and get a present for Caden because his third birthday is tomorrow but it was hectic and didn't work out.  I was worn out and we all hit the hay early. After seeing Faith, Bridgett didn't need any pain killer for the rest of the day and slept through the night without waking up to take pain reliever. On another note........Before we left to Utah, our dog Jake was not doing very well. I have been worried about him for quite a few months. He is old for a dog; he's 11-1/2 years old. He's an Australian Shepard/heeler cross. He has been eating poorly and having trouble getting up. Mark and Tyler said he's doing worse since we left.  I don't know if he'll make it until we get home. In some ways I am hoping I'm not there when he dies. It was very traumatic when his sister died five years ago. We got both dogs from the same litter and they were so fun together. Jess (his sister) died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichia, and Lyme disease. We have had a lot of ticks this year and even though we use Frontline, it's a worry. But he is also just old.

Second year Day 220 - Sunday July 21, 2013

Bridgett is still remembering old random memories that really amaze me. Most of these memories seem to be from "pre-Provo" days. So, basically from the time before she turned 18. It was weird, if you remember, when she first started remembering who she was, she thought she was younger. I think 14, if I remember right. Now of course she knows that she is 23, but I think that it is interesting that memories from her adult years are kind of "misty" memories. It's like she vaguely has an inkling of things that happened, but can't quite clearly remember those things. Of course, from time to time she remembers things and surprises me but mostly she doesn't remember people particularly from this time frame. However, I do think those memories will come to her eventually, just as her older memories are coming to her. From time to time when I mention people she knew from Provo she will say she kind of remembers them, but not clearly for sure.  Like she might remember their name and put a last name with it but then can't describe the person at all.

Second year Day 219 - Saturday July 20, 2013

We got up early and headed to West Jordan to the Golden Corral to meet everyone for breakfast. My new GPS is cool because when I got on the freeway it said that there was a traffic jam ahead and the speed was 30 on the freeway.  Jenn was following me and after i told her about it she turned on the radio and heard about a wreck ahead. She called Tyler, who told us how to detour and miss that section of freeway, which we did. That was great!  We got to the restaurant a few minutes late but it was fine. It was so fun to see everyone who could come.  There were 37 of us there for breakfast. The amazing thing was that Bridgett lasted for two hours in the restaurant!  And with all of that noise!  Crazy!  She had a fun talking to everyone, although she also sat at a table with just me so that she could talk when she felt like it. She had to go out into the restaurant from time to time to walk and someone went with her to "guard" her so that no one would run into her and jar her neck.  But she did it!  I was very glad to get a few minutes to talk to Frank and Cindy and of course everyone else. We were able to discuss our coming reunion on dads birthday (actually the day before) and it was just fun!  Oh I forgot to mention that from time to time when Bridgett is in a lot of pain, she uses the soft neck brace in the car. Today her neck was still hurting after arriving at the restaurant, so she wore it inside as we'll. I figure that it helped protect her neck in case someone ran into her. Anyway it was fun and then we all headed back to our homes (or hotel!). We were supposed to got to the "big" Hall reunion this evening, but it was outside at the park and it was SO hot!  Bridgett was worn out as well, so we just stayed in Provo. Arri and I tried to get some unpacking done at her apartment as well so that she would be ready for a new week.

Second year Day 218 - Friday July 19, 2013

I don't think I have blogged about this yet, but Scott, Jaclyn and Weston are moving to Utah next week, to Draper.  It will be so hard to have them leave, except for the fact that I am in Utah so much and I will get to see them pretty often.  Of course, they have lived in Kalispell ever since they were married and Scott has worked for Mark for years.  It will be a big adjustment for everyone. I am at the age in life where I cry very easily.  I haven't discussed it much with other people because it makes me cry.  Today they had a going away party at work for Scott.  Hopefully it went well.  I will be here when they leave so I guess I can pretend that we didn't really have a hard goodbye.  I picked up Stephany from EFY tonight instead of tomorrow because of our family breakfast in West Jordan.  She had a great week and I'm so glad that she was able to go.  W didn't get back to the hotel until 11:30, so we were all pretty tired.  Morning will come quickly!

Second year Day 217 - Thursday July 18, 2013

Bridgett and I have been discussing here appointment with the eye doctor lately.  Initially, she was very much against having eye surgery. However, I told her that we won't force her to have surgery (obviously) but that we will consult with the doctor and then try to decide what will be best.  The doctor is Robert Hoffman.  She asked me if she could ask him a question and I said sure.  So she wants to ask him if she can call him Robbie!  I said most doctors want to be called dr but you can ask.  I think she will forget about asking him anyway so whatever!  Tonight when Bridgett said prayers she said please bless us to be safe on the morrow.  On the morrow!  She kills me sometimes with her speech!

Second year Day 216 - Wednesday July 17, 2013

Arrianne bought one of her old roommates contracts for the summer so that worked out well.  Now we have to get her a place for fall.  We had talked about getting a condo that we could stay in with her when we are in Utah, but that hasn't worked out yet.  So we spent time today negotiating to buy someone else's fall contract where she lives now.  After bartering for a while we finally came to terms and got that signed today.  Whew!  Relief!  Now at least that is all taken care of.  Also I have been trying to get things organized so that my family can get together this Saturday for breakfast.  My older brother, Frank, was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. He will be coming up this weekend to visit before he starts treatments next week so we all want to get together and visit.  After consulting with everyone, I was finally able to set up a room at the Golden Corral where we can meet and eat together early Saturday morning in salt lake.  I have an extended family reunion this weekend as well, but it will all be outside and if the temperature doesn't moderate a little, then that's out for us. Bridgett can't tolerate the heat and obviously neither can Stephany.  Actually I don't do great in the heat either.

Second year Day 215 - Tuesday July 16, 2013

Today Bridgett and I actually just got some rest and it felt good. It was nice to just chill and do some reading.  Arrianne's program seems really good and she's having fun.  Stephany was zonked today after being so sick from heat stroke yesterday but otherwise managing.  Bridgett and I got a little shopping done.  I'm hoping to see Jenn and the kids tomorrow.  I had hoped to have lunch with mom and Sue, but had to cancel and pick Steph up and bring her to the hotel for some cool air and rest.  She looked so hot you'd think that she was ready to burst.  I got shaved ice for everyone and got her cooled down.  It was 103 degrees.  Crazy!  After a couple of hours I took her back, and she was feeling much better.  Hopefully they will be inside more tomorrow!