Kam's back surgery.

Kam's back finally got so bad he went to an orthopedic surgeon. Holy crap! Are they all like that? "Let me give you this shot that will hurt like Hell and then I'll break the offending bone off." What the crap are they thinking?! Since his sister Nyla had similar problems, he found out she had surgery by a neuro-surgeon & liked it. He went to the neuro-surgeon & decided it would be best to go in for surgery.

The surgery was only supposed to be 90 minutes long & it took almost four hours. By the time we got him settled into his room for the night, it was 1:30 am. He was in a lot of pain but I think that was to be expected for back surgery. The incision was only about 2" long. It's amazing all they can do now. Kelsey had to work so it was just Rob & I that went up to the hospital. The surgery was in the new hospital just off 53rd South in Salt Lake. Nice Hospital, cheap meals (thank goodness), and everyone we met was super nice. (Although Kam wanted to string up one nurse because she was getting pushy about him getting up & walking really early the next morning._

He was supposed to come home the next day but it didn't sound like it was going to happen. He was refusing to get up & still in a lot of pain. I went up planning on spending the night if I needed to but by the time I got there after work, he was wanting to get out of bed & try to walk. Maybe he just needed some motivation. After about an hour an a half, I was able to bring him home. The problem for him was the hour drive home. He was in a lot of pain from the drive so he took pain killers and fell asleep. At least he got sleep - unlike me! I was pretty worried about him. Anyway, I'll keep you a bit more updated.

My little girl turned 18 today!

I can't believe it! My baby girl turned 18 today & I couldn't even celebrate with her. She's doing High School Rodeo in St. George. GRRRRR - I guess my tradition of taking the kids to breakfast on their birthday gets to take a back seat this year. She even bought her birthday present from us herself without us seeing it at all.

Both of my kids have made me so proud of who they are. They are awesome kids that I'm lucky to learn from. They are growing up so quickly. It's weird to think that my babies are 18 & 15 now! I don't think that makes me old though. Just ... um ... experienced - ya that's it, experienced. LOL I crack myself up.

Ozzy

Well, I finally made the tough decision to put Ozzy down. It was a blessing for him, I think. I made Kam take us to the vet because it broke my heart that his last few months weren't very good. He was having seizures daily, was completely blind & almost totally deaf. The last time Kam tried to bathe him, he freaked out & had a seizure. Kam thought he had drowned. He was a fighter that's for sure.

He's in heaven now running around like he had not been able to do for most of his life. His story is vague to me but I understand they found him neglected & abused in the middle of a road in Nashville, TN. I brought him to Utah to take care of him. He had to fight for his food before we got him so anytime we would give him some, he was really protective. So much so that we had to correct it quickly. He went after both kids for their food so it had to be stopped. Once he figured out we were different & food was readily available, he stopped. He thrived for awhile but in the last six months, his quality of life deterioated rapidly.

He loved to sit in Kam's chair next to him & he would give loves. He loved it so much because Kam would spoil him with french fries & even sometimes meat from his burger. Such a sweet boy! I'm glad he got to feel love for his final years. That's God's way, I think. We love you Ozzy! We'll be together again.

My baby just turned 15 & other misc. stuff!

Ok so bear with me for a moment while I cry that my baby is growing up. We worked it out that he was able to get his "learner's permit." He wants to drive us everywhere - including crazy! I'm still working (YAY!) and the girl I replaced Josh with is a working machine. I actually need to tell her to take a break. I've known her and her family for about 13 years and she is a cutie. I'm so far behind that I think I'm first but at least things are still getting done. I'm usually putting in nine hours a day though.

I'm getting more hours with Provo City now that the busy season has begun. I'm meeting so many neat people there! My life seems to be all work right now but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel! We finally sold our house last month & I received word this morning that the house next door went up in flames last night. It's probably the homeless people that were living there. Now maybe Pleasant Grove will do something with that house. Maybe not though. Somehow, the owner seems to keep one step ahead of them.

I bought the large waterfall picture that hangs on the wall at work with plans to buy at least two more pictures. Since my company will not put money toward them, I will & if I leave, they will come with me. Also, the artist will get something for allowing me to put them on the wall for so many months for free. I'm trying to get at least a year as warehouse manager before I leave. Only two more weeks to that goal. I've kept my head down as much as possible to avoid layoffs but I think the time is getting near. I guess had Josh not left, one of us would have been laid off. I'm still keeping my eyes out for other jobs so I know what is available. I was very honest about the company situation with Jessica, my new helper. At least she has a job for now as well. She is only part-time but I've kept her for a few more hours each week just to get things done. She is amazing! Anyway, have a great day!

Newest update...Random stuff.

We went to our State competition that I was in absolutely nothing but had to take Kelsey's horse because she was in team barrels. Kelsey is not in a relationship with the boy from the Posse because he has decided he needed to date others. Who he decided to hang out with makes me sad. I decided with broken ribs to stay in a hotel rather than sleep in a tent on the hard ground. I want that bed!!! I slept so comfortably that I really want one. Kelsey's 4H leader & her husband let me ride their horses. It was so much fun! I was invited to ride with several teams if my team didn't want my help. I know this is rambling but it's been a crazy week and I'm typing as something comes to me. This week, I was swamped at work & the kid that works for me gave his notice. He is going to a much better job so I can't complain but some time to replace him would have been nice. The company isn't letting me replace him with a full time person but I was able to replace him with a part time person that will start tomorrow morning. I wanted her to shadow Josh so she had some idea of what she walked into. I'm actually worried about my job because of all of the layoffs going on in the company. I could name a few people that should be gone that would save the company a bunch of money but I'm pretty sure that I will go WAY before they do. I'm also frustrated that the HR manager was more interested in her wedding this weekend rather than helping me get some help. Obviously, I'm expected to be super woman. GRRRRRR. Don't worry, I'm still keeping my eyes out on what may be out there to fall back on. I've also kept working part-time for Provo City because it's a foot in the door there. At least I'm working!! That is something to be thankful for.

Region competition

Well, it is now the start of school. Both kids have started school, Kelsey is a senior this year and Rob started ninth grade. WOW! They have grown to be such awesome kids!

We have now had our District and Region competitions & at District my teams did okay but at Region, our times were super slow. Belvedere decided to kick up his heals on Friday afternoon and nailed me in the ribs so now I think I have a dislocated rib and I'm black on the whole right side. It really hurts to move a whole lot and I slept on the couch for comfort last night. I'm thinking we are not in anything at State in a couple of weeks because of how poorly we did. I really wonder about the judge though. We have never done so badly in Parade or Drill. I think the "Steward" helping the judge influenced her too much and I'm not real impressed with this judge anyway. Oh well, at least I can go and enjoy the show without worrying about taking horses! That will save a pile of money!

Kelsey is dating a nice young man that is riding with the Posse this year. I think they make a cute couple but don't tell her I said that because she may jump out of it. I was able to meet his father this weekend and he is a really nice man too. We'll see what happens. Kelsey needs to get her high school out of the way before anything happens though.

Better go home for now. Have a great night!

Happy times & more!

Ok - I know very few people read this but it's almost like a journal thing for me. We went out to meet Kam's new granddaughter. All she would do was sleep but Addie was a hoot! She is Kam, Jr.'s 2-year old. I was her "friend" while Kam tried to get her to understand that he was grandpa. It was funny!!!

Rob has come home and even though he will not admit it, he missed us! He did say that next year he only wants to go for four weeks. He missed all three of the 4H shows. I don't think he missed the competition but I'm pretty sure he missed seeing "Megan" at the shows. She's a really cute girl that he seems to like. Rob starts Timpview High School next week. I can't believe my baby is starting High School!!

Kelsey is super busy now...High School Rodeo, Santequin Orchard Days Queen, FFA, and two jobs (Wendys & very part-time @ Design Pubishing). She just started dating a super nice kid that just started riding with the Posse. He is a return missionary but he treats her really well. I don't understand why boys think treating girls like crap is the way to go!!!! That's all she has dated - boys who think they need to treat girls like dirt or that she would need to pay for EVERYTHING!!!! This boy doesn't seem to be that way. I know there is a few years difference but the difference of how he treats her is nice for a mother to see! She turns 18 in November so as long as he continues to treat her with respect it will be fine.

Kam's sister-in-law, June, passed away a few weeks ago. She and Johnny would have been married 50 years one week later. I worry about him now. Kam's brother-in-law, Edson Holm - Debbie's husband, passed away from a massive heart attact at work yesterday. I'm not sure if we will be going to show our support for Debbie though. She is the one sibling left down at Colorado City, AZ (the Fundamentalist Church under Warren Jeff's). Kam's Aunt Tootsie passed away in February (I think). She was the other one left down there.

Anyway, it's getting late & we have a Frampton reunion tomorrow. Oh, almost forgot...I guess I'm bringing Kelsey's lamb home tomorrow to get some weight on him. His broken leg definitely affected his weight. Poor thing! Anyone want lamb meat? I'm hoping to at least make some of Kelsey's money back so it won't be such as huge loss for her. Have a great night!