I love holidays – if only for the fact that I get an extra day off work. It seems like weekends always go by way too fast! This past weekend, I took Friday off – in addition to having Monday off for the holiday. It was fabulous! And it still seemed to go by way too fast!
On Friday, I went boating. I love boating. Last year my mom bought a boat and it was fun, but it was also a bummer. I had surgery to fix my torn ACL at the very beginning of the summer. I was under strict instructions not to do ANYTHING behind a boat for at least 6 months. This year I’ve been excited to go and actually DO something (besides hold the flag). I attempted wakeboarding last time we went, but I wasn’t able to get up. I felt like I was wasting everyone’s time – there were 7 kids in the boat dying to get back out on the tube. But, when we went on Friday, there were just 5 of us – all adults. There was plenty of time for everyone to do what they wanted for as long as they wanted. No stress, no juggling people back and forth on the beach. It was awesome! And – I GOT UP ON THE WAKEBOARD!!! I’m definitely not a “wakeboarder,” but let me just say that I was pretty darn proud of myself for getting up. It was just like the boys kept telling me – you have to have your arms yanked off a couple dozen times, but once you get a feel of how to get up out of the water, it kind of clicks. I got up a few different times. I hadn’t prepared myself for what I would do once I got up. I’ve never done any kind of boarding – skate boarding, snow boarding, etc. The first time up, I accidently went outside the wake…I couldn’t help it! Once I got out of the wake, I face planted. It was pretty sweet. I would have tried again then, but when I came up out of the water, I couldn’t hear – at all! It was super scary! Ever since I lost the hearing in my left ear, I’ve been scared to death that I will lose the hearing in my right ear. I thought I was going to be deaf forever! But, I got out of the water and after a few minutes my right ear popped and I could hear again. Talk about breathing a sigh of relief! I went out again later in the afternoon and got up a few more times. I even got a little bit of a feel for how to control where I was going. I can’t wait to get out on the lake again!! I think the next time we go, I’ll conquer wake surfing!
My mom is still super sick. She has pneumonia and she can’t seem to stop coughing. She doesn’t sleep very well and her patience is wearing very thin. I keep telling her it’s going to take some time for her to get better. She feels like she’s already put in her time and she should be better now! I’d like to agree with her, but my logical thinking prevents me from doing so. I know she’ll get better eventually. In the meantime, we’ll just keep doing whatever we can to help her.
We’re just entering the crazy busy season at work. We’re busy putting all our soccer leagues together. The fall soccer season starts games in 3 weeks. It’s always a little surprising to me just how much work it is to put a recreation soccer league together! But, I love it! It makes the days go by fast and I love feeling like I accomplished something while I was at work.
I’ve been itching to go on vacation. I know that’s a little ridiculous considering I’ve already had 2 pretty significant vacations this year. But, what can I say? I love it! I do get to go on a short trip next week, but it definitely won’t be a vacation. I get to go to Hershey, PA to help as a “chaperone” for the North American Final Hershey Track Meet. Hershey (the chocolate company) sponsors a series of track meets for kids ages 9-14. It starts with a local meet, then a district meet, then a state meet, then a region meet, and finishing with the final meet. For work, we put on a local meet and a district meet. It’s a lot of work, but it’s usually a fun event. This year, the state director talked to my boss and said they were in need of a few chaperones for the girls for the final meet. My boss volunteered me so I get to go. It’s a 4 day event and I get to be responsible for 4-5 girls for the entire 4 days! We do get to do some fun things – tour the Hershey factory, spend some time at the Hershey amusement park, etc. But, I’ve heard it’s a lot of work and a bit on the stressful side. Chance are, I will definitely need a vacation by the time I get home! But, there’s no way that will happen. I’ll get home just in time for the craziest days of this busy period for work! Such is the life!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Remember that one time (a week ago) when I said, “Very often we are required to do something that is hard, something unexpected, something we’re not sure we can do. But, if we plan, and use all the resources we have, and think outside the box, and rely on those who are there to support us, we can totally do whatever it is we are required to do. We can made hard decisions, we can endure hard trials, and we can progress when we are pushed outside of our comfort zone.”
Yeah, I remember that – and I remember how I had to prove that the very next day!! On Wednesday of last week my mom was admitted to the ICU. She had been sick with “bronchitis” for about six weeks. She’d been through two rounds of antibiotics and was still very sick. My sister Sharon took her to see a specialist on Wednesday. By the time they got home (with no more help than they left with), my mom was coughing a lot and Sharon decided it would be best to take her to the ER. Sharon called me to let me know because I was at work. I figured they would admit her, get some tests, get her some IV antibiotics and send her on her way. 20 minutes later I got a text from Jared (who had gone to the ER with my mom and Sharon) that said, “They’re intubating and putting her on a respirator and knocking her out.” I didn’t react right away. I stayed at work for another 20 minutes trying to process what Jared said. When I went in to tell my co-worker that there was a really good chance I wouldn’t be there on Thursday, I started to cry a little bit. I think it was then that it hit – this is kind of serious! I left work and went straight up to the hospital. I learned that while she was in the ER, the doctors were afraid her airway was closing. She was coughing hard and struggling to breathe and her blood pressure was through the roof – that’s why they decided to intubate. I was able to see my mom in the ER for just a second before they transported her up to the ICU. It was a LONG night! They told my mom they would “knock her out.” But, they didn’t really. She woke up about every hour and struggled A LOT! It’s hard to watch your mom scream with her eyes because she feels like she can’t breathe. I’ve never been on a ventilator, but I can only imagine how it would feel to be “breathing” through a tiny tube. She kept looking at us like she wanted to yell, “I’m suffocating here! Why aren’t you doing anything to help?!?!” But, we knew she wasn’t suffocating so we just did our best to calm her down and explain. They next day they did some tests and later in the afternoon they took the tube out. She was a lot more comfortable after that. Later that night, she started struggling again. They put her on a “bi-pap” machine, which is similar to the ventilator, but works with just a mask instead of the tube down the throat. That night one of the nurse practitioners talked to me and Sharon and told us what she thought was going on. She painted a very grave picture! I freaked out a little bit. I was grateful to leave my mom’s room and find strong, supportive arms to hold me while I cried. That Brad is a keeper!! The next morning, they did some more tests (looking for the nurse practitioner’s suspicion) and found that everything was perfectly normal. There wasn’t even cause to worry! I was so upset that the NP said anything! I wish she would have just kept her thoughts to herself so I didn’t have to freak out and think I was going to lose my mom! That same morning, I was on hospital duty. I was there alone with my mom, who was finally sleeping peacefully (still on an oxygen mask, but at least breathing on her own). Jared called. He said, “Did you hear the bad news?” I was confused. I thought if there was bad news, I would be the one telling him since I was with my mom. He told me that my grandfather (my dad’s dad) had passed away that morning. It was a quick conversation. He had to hang up and tell the other kids. After I hung up, I thought – REALLY?!?! You have GOT to be kidding me!!! Sure my grandpa was old, and he lived a really good life, but talk about awful timing! It really is true what they say – when it rains, it pours.
It’s been a few days. My mom is doing better. She got transferred out of the ICU, which is always a good thing. They still don’t know what’s really going on with her. They know she has pneumonia, but they don’t think that’s the cause of all the grief, they think it’s a symptom. Sometimes (like now) I hate the medical field. They want to keep my mom in the hospital, but they’re not telling us what’s really wrong with her, what they’re doing to figure out what’s wrong with her, or what they’re doing to fix it. She is still getting IV antibiotics. But, she’s still coughing a lot. She hasn’t slept for the last few nights. She gets breathing treatments from the respiratory therapist every 4 hours. I doubt she would be able to breathe without them. My mom really wants to go home – obviously, who wouldn’t? But, I’m not convinced that’s a good idea, unless they send her home with some way to keep the coughing under control so she can breathe. I guess we’ll just see what they say when they doctor sees her this afternoon.
So I learned another valuable lesson. I should probably just keep my mouth shut about the things I learn, unless I want to have it put to the test! Hahaha…in all actuality, I see the divine planning of it all. I’m grateful for the teaching that was done to prepare me to handle this challenge. I’m grateful for the support of people around me. I continue to hope and pray for my mom’s speedy recovery!!
I’m not excited to go another funeral. I feel like I’ve been to WAY too many for my short life! But, it will be good to get away (to Idaho) for the day and see some family I haven’t seen in years. And, Brad’s coming with me so it can’t be too bad, right?
Yeah, I remember that – and I remember how I had to prove that the very next day!! On Wednesday of last week my mom was admitted to the ICU. She had been sick with “bronchitis” for about six weeks. She’d been through two rounds of antibiotics and was still very sick. My sister Sharon took her to see a specialist on Wednesday. By the time they got home (with no more help than they left with), my mom was coughing a lot and Sharon decided it would be best to take her to the ER. Sharon called me to let me know because I was at work. I figured they would admit her, get some tests, get her some IV antibiotics and send her on her way. 20 minutes later I got a text from Jared (who had gone to the ER with my mom and Sharon) that said, “They’re intubating and putting her on a respirator and knocking her out.” I didn’t react right away. I stayed at work for another 20 minutes trying to process what Jared said. When I went in to tell my co-worker that there was a really good chance I wouldn’t be there on Thursday, I started to cry a little bit. I think it was then that it hit – this is kind of serious! I left work and went straight up to the hospital. I learned that while she was in the ER, the doctors were afraid her airway was closing. She was coughing hard and struggling to breathe and her blood pressure was through the roof – that’s why they decided to intubate. I was able to see my mom in the ER for just a second before they transported her up to the ICU. It was a LONG night! They told my mom they would “knock her out.” But, they didn’t really. She woke up about every hour and struggled A LOT! It’s hard to watch your mom scream with her eyes because she feels like she can’t breathe. I’ve never been on a ventilator, but I can only imagine how it would feel to be “breathing” through a tiny tube. She kept looking at us like she wanted to yell, “I’m suffocating here! Why aren’t you doing anything to help?!?!” But, we knew she wasn’t suffocating so we just did our best to calm her down and explain. They next day they did some tests and later in the afternoon they took the tube out. She was a lot more comfortable after that. Later that night, she started struggling again. They put her on a “bi-pap” machine, which is similar to the ventilator, but works with just a mask instead of the tube down the throat. That night one of the nurse practitioners talked to me and Sharon and told us what she thought was going on. She painted a very grave picture! I freaked out a little bit. I was grateful to leave my mom’s room and find strong, supportive arms to hold me while I cried. That Brad is a keeper!! The next morning, they did some more tests (looking for the nurse practitioner’s suspicion) and found that everything was perfectly normal. There wasn’t even cause to worry! I was so upset that the NP said anything! I wish she would have just kept her thoughts to herself so I didn’t have to freak out and think I was going to lose my mom! That same morning, I was on hospital duty. I was there alone with my mom, who was finally sleeping peacefully (still on an oxygen mask, but at least breathing on her own). Jared called. He said, “Did you hear the bad news?” I was confused. I thought if there was bad news, I would be the one telling him since I was with my mom. He told me that my grandfather (my dad’s dad) had passed away that morning. It was a quick conversation. He had to hang up and tell the other kids. After I hung up, I thought – REALLY?!?! You have GOT to be kidding me!!! Sure my grandpa was old, and he lived a really good life, but talk about awful timing! It really is true what they say – when it rains, it pours.
It’s been a few days. My mom is doing better. She got transferred out of the ICU, which is always a good thing. They still don’t know what’s really going on with her. They know she has pneumonia, but they don’t think that’s the cause of all the grief, they think it’s a symptom. Sometimes (like now) I hate the medical field. They want to keep my mom in the hospital, but they’re not telling us what’s really wrong with her, what they’re doing to figure out what’s wrong with her, or what they’re doing to fix it. She is still getting IV antibiotics. But, she’s still coughing a lot. She hasn’t slept for the last few nights. She gets breathing treatments from the respiratory therapist every 4 hours. I doubt she would be able to breathe without them. My mom really wants to go home – obviously, who wouldn’t? But, I’m not convinced that’s a good idea, unless they send her home with some way to keep the coughing under control so she can breathe. I guess we’ll just see what they say when they doctor sees her this afternoon.
So I learned another valuable lesson. I should probably just keep my mouth shut about the things I learn, unless I want to have it put to the test! Hahaha…in all actuality, I see the divine planning of it all. I’m grateful for the teaching that was done to prepare me to handle this challenge. I’m grateful for the support of people around me. I continue to hope and pray for my mom’s speedy recovery!!
I’m not excited to go another funeral. I feel like I’ve been to WAY too many for my short life! But, it will be good to get away (to Idaho) for the day and see some family I haven’t seen in years. And, Brad’s coming with me so it can’t be too bad, right?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Heavenly Father teaches me constantly. When it comes to learning about gospel principles, I don’t learn very well from reading – it usually takes real life experiences for things to really sink in for me. When it comes to learning through my life experiences, it’s usually during fast and testimony meeting that the spirit says, “Hey, Jetta, remember when this happened. Isn’t it crazy how that experience you had relates to the gospel?” I sit in the meeting and think, “Yeah, I remember that. Oh, you’re right, it does relate to the gospel. Hey – that makes sense!” This little “conversation” is usually followed by me bearing my testimony. But, that just didn’t feel right this Sunday. I had a “conversation” with the Spirit about something I learned, but I didn’t share it – the opportunity just wasn’t right. But, I still wanted to record it.
Last week at work was pretty ridiculous. It was nuts that all my co-workers and my boss were gone the week leading up to Sandy’s biggest event of the year. On Monday, when I found out I would be on my own to get everything ready for the 4th, I didn’t think I could do it. I was nervous. I was worried. I had to take advantage of the resources I had. I had to think outside the box. Because I didn’t have my co-workers to help like they usually do, I had to rely on the secretaries to help me out. I had to be diligent and follow my timeline and use my lists. In the end, everything worked out – definitely not the way I wanted to and not how I would want it work out again the future, but for this year – it worked out. The 4th was a great success!
During my “conversation” with the Spirit on Sunday I realized that this is how a lot of things in life are. Very often we are required to do something that is hard, something unexpected, something we’re not sure we can do. But, if we plan, and use all the resources we have, and think outside the box, and rely on those who are there to support us, we can totally do whatever it is we are required to do. We can made hard decisions, we can endure hard trials, and we can progress when we are pushed outside of our comfort zone. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to be outside my comfort zone preparing for the 4th of July. It was hard and I don’t want to do it again, but I learned a lot. I hope I can remember that experience and the things I learned the next time I’m required to do something I don’t think I can do!
The 4th of July really was fabulous. The race that I was in charge of went wonderfully. We had close to 60 more runners this year than we did last year – that means I win!! It means we’re doing something right because people keep coming back and bringing others with them! After the race, I had to help with the “Youth Arts Festival.” Sandy City buys a ton of little arts and crafts for kids to come do for free! It’s actually pretty fun. The kids are adorable. I think my favorite part is watching the kids get their faces painted. We have phenomenal face painters. They do incredible things! When the kids go, they are all business while their faces are being painted. They won’t crack a smile. But, when the painters turn their mirrors around and let the kids see the art on their face, the kids always light right up and grin from ear to ear. I love it – every time!! I finally got to leave Sandy at 3:00pm. It was a long day considering I woke up at 3:30am!! I got home and took a shower. I got to spend the rest of the day with Brad, which is always good! We went to Jared and Wendee’s house for dinner and then we went down to the Kaysville fireworks. I really miss the day’s events in Kaysville, but I was grateful I at least got to see the firework show. Today I feel like I have a hangover. I’m exhausted. I don’t feel super great. But, it was worth it!
Last week at work was pretty ridiculous. It was nuts that all my co-workers and my boss were gone the week leading up to Sandy’s biggest event of the year. On Monday, when I found out I would be on my own to get everything ready for the 4th, I didn’t think I could do it. I was nervous. I was worried. I had to take advantage of the resources I had. I had to think outside the box. Because I didn’t have my co-workers to help like they usually do, I had to rely on the secretaries to help me out. I had to be diligent and follow my timeline and use my lists. In the end, everything worked out – definitely not the way I wanted to and not how I would want it work out again the future, but for this year – it worked out. The 4th was a great success!
During my “conversation” with the Spirit on Sunday I realized that this is how a lot of things in life are. Very often we are required to do something that is hard, something unexpected, something we’re not sure we can do. But, if we plan, and use all the resources we have, and think outside the box, and rely on those who are there to support us, we can totally do whatever it is we are required to do. We can made hard decisions, we can endure hard trials, and we can progress when we are pushed outside of our comfort zone. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to be outside my comfort zone preparing for the 4th of July. It was hard and I don’t want to do it again, but I learned a lot. I hope I can remember that experience and the things I learned the next time I’m required to do something I don’t think I can do!
The 4th of July really was fabulous. The race that I was in charge of went wonderfully. We had close to 60 more runners this year than we did last year – that means I win!! It means we’re doing something right because people keep coming back and bringing others with them! After the race, I had to help with the “Youth Arts Festival.” Sandy City buys a ton of little arts and crafts for kids to come do for free! It’s actually pretty fun. The kids are adorable. I think my favorite part is watching the kids get their faces painted. We have phenomenal face painters. They do incredible things! When the kids go, they are all business while their faces are being painted. They won’t crack a smile. But, when the painters turn their mirrors around and let the kids see the art on their face, the kids always light right up and grin from ear to ear. I love it – every time!! I finally got to leave Sandy at 3:00pm. It was a long day considering I woke up at 3:30am!! I got home and took a shower. I got to spend the rest of the day with Brad, which is always good! We went to Jared and Wendee’s house for dinner and then we went down to the Kaysville fireworks. I really miss the day’s events in Kaysville, but I was grateful I at least got to see the firework show. Today I feel like I have a hangover. I’m exhausted. I don’t feel super great. But, it was worth it!
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