Angela Joy: October 2012

I was checking out a few blogs over the weekend, and dropped in on mine. What? It’s been 5 weeks since I posted last? While I often consider my daily life uneventful and routine, I have been busy and as this is my current attempt at journal keeping, time for a quick update.

As I sit here today, my mouth is numb from an unplanned visit to the dentist. I have always felt that we have been lucky when it comes to doctor visits, but teeth, now that’s another story. All the kids have had braces, and cavities and such were all too familiar. Both the girls have had implants, and now I have joined the club. Friday I was eating a simple turkey sandwich and my left incisor just broke off at the gum line! Oh my gosh! I had a goofy gap in my smile and luckily my dentist even answered his home phone on Friday afternoon. He patched me up for the weekend, and this morning I had implant surgery. Our family would have some crazy smiles without dentistry.

After we arrived home from our last trip to Utah (details in previous post) it was a few weeks of catching up on our responsibilities in Spokane. As I am currently serving in the YW as Mia Maid counselor, I had much to do. We have 13 beautiful girls and it is a privilege to associate with them. I marvel at their goodness in this crazy world they live in. So much has changed (and mostly NOT for the better) since my girls were young teenagers. Their challenges and circumstances are tricky, but they are holding fast to their testimonies. September’s weather was spectacular and I spent as much time as possible outside. Brent has been super busy with work (seems I always say that!) and traveling quite a bit. We are grateful for employment and a paycheck, so I won’t complain.

With Mom still in a rehab facility in Provo, I was only home for 3 weeks before I headed south once again. She was transferred to a new place, and without going into a litany of details, we have discovered that unless a patient has a determined and well-informed advocate(s), no matter how good the doctors may be, things just get forgotten, and “things” happen. It’s been frustrating. So, I went to check on the situation at the new place and spend some time with her. Of course it is always good because I am able to spend time with the kids and Baby G as well.

Brittney, Stuart and Grayson are doing well. Grayson is 3 months old now, over 15 lbs of pure baby chub, and wonderful in every way. Brittney returned to work the first week of October, and I was able to take care of Grayson that first week. Stu had to travel to California for album/band business, so Baby G and I just hung out with my Mom and I loved every minute of spoiling him rotten. Brittney has been able to reduce her hours some, and they are patiently (not!) waiting for Fictionist’s album to be released. It is so fun seeing how happy B and Stu are. They are great parents and Grayson is the most beloved baby on earth. We waited so very long for him, but he was worth the wait. That little axiom you’ve all heard applies here: “I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.”

On that note, Camille and Russ are also doing great. They have been working on their yard and home, and keeping busy with projects and friends. We found out this week that they as well are on their way to IVF (see her blog). I never would have predicted that both my girls would have issues with fertility. I’ve pondered this a lot the past 3+ years, and of course, there are no answers. It just is. The trials and challenges that we all face don’t make sense most of the time. The trick is to remember that with faith, hope, gratitude and charity, miracles happen. And just like I’m so grateful for dentistry, I’m very grateful for the medical science of IVF. I like to think that my grandbabies are just extra special and are taking “extra credit” up in heaven. They are being prepared for something very important and will arrive only when they have finished their pre-earth training. Like Grayson, Baby Lewis(s) will arrive as “old souls” no doubt. We are just so ready to meet them. I guess I’m not surprised they are over-achievers . . . they are just like their future parents!

Jace is doing great in school and is busy, busy, busy. As an accounting major in the junior core, his class load is tough. He also is involved in several clubs and fellowships. He plans to get an accounting degree, and then an MBA, all while focusing in the field of social innovation. He is going to California in a couple of weeks to meet his mentor. Honestly, I don’t fully understand all the parameters of the career path he has chosen. All I know is that he is doing a great job of building a resume and a profile. He will be well prepared for his post-collegiate future. He is always on the lookout for the future Mrs. Jace, and no doubt she will be as awesome as he is.

So with that, this journal entry is complete. I’ll just leave you with a few pictures of the cutest baby on earth (since the others are stubbornly waiting up in heaven right now!) Enjoy.