it's going on

So my dad's heart is fixed!!! There was a large hole he'd had since birth and they were going to try this very new procedure where they go up through a vein in his groin and have this umbrella-like plug that opens up and completely seals the hole. But if the umbrella isn't big enough because the hole is too big, the person isn't a canidate and they have to back out, wake him up, and schedule open-heart suregery. But it worked!  Everything went perfectly!!! Prayer works. He's at home recovering and happy to be in his own bed instead of at the hospital. What a MIRACLE. What a difference from last time....also miracles and working prayers, but so much more up, down, up, down, complications, waivered faith, fear, "what if," etc. This time we were all firm in our faith. We were totally together and supporting each other and him. We knew that whatever happened, everything would be alright. My dad was courageous.

My kitten, Dottie, had her surgery yesterday as well. She is now spayed. I was super nervous about it because Monte had the worst time with it (plus the nervousness from Dad going into surgery), but the vets and techs at the AZ Humane Society were so kind and gave lots of comforting words. After hanging out with my dad all afternoon while he had to lay flat for hours after surgery, I went and picked up Dot.
She's all shaved on her tummy with an inch cut in her lower abdomen, now all stitched up, and it's all flabby down there from the procedure. Poor little one. She's doing well now. Last night was very stressful keeping her and Monte apart (meaning one could be in our room with us and one had to stay out in the living room alone...SAD) so they didn't play fight and keeping her from licking her stitches. We tried to put a cone on her, but she flipped out like she was POSSESSED and was running into things and hurting herself. Oh my goodness. So I just keep watching her. She understands, "no-no, Dot!" when she starts licking, and has pretty much quit trying. But I still have to keep an eye on both kitties at all times. We all listen to hypnobirthing together and then they just go to sleep. It's great. :)

Had an appointment today and apparently little Skittlecore is posterior at this time. I'm going to work my hardest at being a human hammock and sitting forward at all times to get him/her to flip, but make sure to send your "turn your back and face my bum" thoughts our way. :) Mary the midwife says not to worry and that she's sure everything will work out the way it's supposed to. I'm really not worried. I feel confident and excited about birth.

I had one of those crazy experiences today that really make you grateful and really make you think. Some people are born into situations that are really hard and that they can't do anything about. I'm really blessed. I need to do more service, think of others more, be more motivated. I want to. I even complain about my phone. Some people don't have a phone.

In other news: it's hot out there, but the sky sure is pretty.

Check out this sweetness from labor day:

Skittlecore at 38 weeks.

Dot on her way to certain doom

Real Pirates at AZ Science Center. It's a REAL PIRATE SHIP from 1700s! It's coming in Oct and going to be amazing. Collin's heading up the whole thing!

Waiting for Dad to get out. Didn't take long!

Poor baby girl.

Saturday

Some photos of Saturday. our first free Sat

in a while. nothing planned. just Saturdayness. 

Spent the morning doing THINGS and eating

omelets & playing with kitties & talking to tummy. 

Poor poor baby Collin's wounds: 

There are so many cute and awesome shops around our 

place. We went exploring. We didn't get to everything because

it's just TOO hot to a) get in and out of the car or b) walk

But we did discover some good stuff. 

 

Frances. a great place to explore for hours.

I, of course, found myself in a very tight spot reading about a cat named Ernie. 

This is seriously the funniest book ever. I want it so badly.

learned everything we need to know!

Then after heat exhaustion/large abdomen exhaustion, we found ourselves ordering a delicious sandwich and watermelon salad from Pane Bianco and then went to hang out/get drinks/enjoy the a/c in Lux coffee shop next door. the food: divine, amazing, delicious, simple, complex, fresh.

The company: funny, sweet, cute, generous, comfy. (foreground. I don't know that other guy, hehe.)

The drink: SO DELICIOUSLY perfectly what I wanted. Collin H Smith has a gift of knowing exactly what to order me and what I like. He knows my taste so WELL. It was a burning hot day, but for some reason I was craving a hot drink. Collin got me this iced chocolate steamer. it had caramel, too. mmmm. hit the spot.

The atmosphere: dreamlike. we were so tired and hot and just sat there on the couch, eating, sipping, staring, cooling off, hugging close, being comfortable. the a/c was so low. it was wonderful.

my busted up swollen feet.  he takes care of me. and I loved the couch we were sitting on. so comfy and so pretty. we stayed for hours.

later that night, we all relaxed and watched a few movies.
Monte is obsessed with sleeping/lounging on this box.

 Dottie chose between my leg and a pillow.

reading together.

And Collin painted my nails. so cute, he is.

So, a great day. a great Saturday. And Joseph's football team won 52-8!!!! 

Today was Sunday and it was great, too. And CS and I got asked to speak in 

church...next sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was like...I'll be there...unless I have my baby!

Happy MARCH!!!

MARCH!

My favorite month! The best month ever! Beautiful, wonderful spring is coming!!

I'm turning 27; Collin is turning 30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom and Joe come out to visit. 

Lots of other very good things. 

March brings so many good memories. I just went through about a million pictures from 2003, 4, and 5. Boy, were things different then. The boyfriends! Haha. Ahhh, the past, eh?

happy, sunny things:

I miss you, AZ.

yesterday was tooooo lazy

Today is a day of PRODUCTION!

Also, I'm loving that this month's Ensign talks about missionary work for the 3rd month in a row. It must be important, I guess! I love that it talks about missionary couples and that it's the best time they've spent together: in service of their fellowmen. That's far away, but I really can't wait for that time. I just love spending time with Smith. I just love him. He really takes care of me.

Sunday Morning. Brings the dawn in.

Thrashed. 7am on Sunday is early, my friends.

Pretty flowers outside the Visitor's Center at the temple. We had Stake Conference that day and the overflow was in the VC. It was a live broadcast from Utah with President Packer, Sister Thompson, Elder Saniti, and President Jensen. It was the 4 of them in a little studio recording live just for us. What an amazing experience. I felt so close to them, and felt as though they were speaking so specifically to me. The biggest thing I got out of it was the importance of Prayer and how trials really aren't trials if you are looking at them in the correct perspective.

I'm so grateful.

I love the Temple. I love the sun. I love warmth and light and these flowers. I had a huge answer to my prayers. I will be a visiting teaching supervisor, so I will be able to be involved in Relief Society even though I'm in Nursery. Heavenly Father loves me!

Collin is a really good chef. He uses sauteed garlic in almost everything and it smells SO good!!!

Mmmm, good

Collin does everything. I am the assistant. This is a very important job. I take pictures and cut things and he lets me stir.

My hair was very over grown. Then I got a haircut and now it's way too short. I hate getting used to a new climate!!! The air is STRANGE out here.