I'm Glad It's In the Past!

Today, while organizing my shelves I opened up my 1989-1990 planners. As I started to read I was overcome by the tremendous weight that I carried those months. The more I read, the more overwhelmed I became. I remember each event, but somehow I had blocked out the fact that so much happened at once.

It upset me so much that I wept.

Just a few of the activities I was involved in at the time:

• Secretary in the Stake Relief Society Presidency
• PTA Board Member & Classroom Volunteer
• 4-H Leader
• Mother to five children, ages 2-12
• Transportation for my mother who didn't drive & my brother, Kim, who had M.S.
• Board Member of Utah Calligraphic Artists

My calendar was so packed that there was seldom a day that wasn't full.

This is just a sampling of a few of the BIG events that I recorded:

January

• Mars (age 8) called home from school 4 consecutive days with headaches & blurred vision. X-rays for sinus problems were negative. He had fixed pupils & elevated blood pressure in his neck. After an adjustment from the chiropractor his pupils were reactive, vision cleared, temperature dropped & headache pain decreased.
• Sheryl  (age 11) - ill with a sore throat, swollen glands, headache & stiff neck.
• I thought I was going crazy. Everything overwhelmed me. Dealing with the kids was too much. I cried over everything, couldn't think clearly, nothing lifted my spirits. I wanted to die.
• I was taken to the Emergency Room with extreme abdominal pain & cramping, hot flashes, chills & hyperventilating. No cause was found.

February

• Mars - ill again for 3 more days.
• Marisa (age 5) -  bladder infections.
• Aunt Betty passed away.
• Grandma Michaelis broke her hip.
• I went to court over an undeserved parking ticket.
• I was diagnosed  with Clinical Depression & started anti-depressants.

March

• Basement flooded.
• Marisa  - diagnosed with Acute Pyelonephritis (kidney infection).

April

• Constant Dr. visits ... Me - psychiatrist & gynecologist, Spencer - orthopedist, Marisa - urologist, and Kevin - allergist.
• Sheryl & Mars both out of school 4 days with illness.
• Kevin (age 2) - Southwest Emergency for stitches in chin.

May

• Marisa - Surgical procedure at Holy Cross Hospital for Urethral Stenosis. Had a Cystoscopy & Urethral Dilation.
• Kevin - stitches removed
• Sheryl - caught finger in back door & cut middle finger on left hand. Blood drained from under nail.

June

• Clive - Upper G.I. at Jordan Valley Holy Cross Hospital.
• More Dr. visits ... Kevin - allergist, Kids - dentist, Marisa - urologist, Me - chiropractor, Clive - internist, Mom - surgeon & labs.
• Mom - Thumb joint replacement surgery.

July

• Dr. visits ... Clive - internist, Kids - dentist, Me - psychiatrist
• Clive & Boys - Backpacking
• Me, Girls & Kevin - Trip to Vernal

August

• Mom - 2nd Thumb joint replacement surgery.
• County Fair - In charge of 4-H Jr. Style Review
• More Dr. appts.
• Dryer and car battery both went out ... but miraculously revived!

September

• Mom & Kim to doctor appointments
• Sheryl - Always ill. Tired, achey, sore throat, etc. Missed 2 weeks of school. Dr. Aizad couldn't find anything. Believes it is not physical. Referral to mental health doctor.

October

• Sheryl - Visited several doctors. What a joke. One wanted to hospitalize her and another believed she was faking. Finally took her to my psychiatrist. Diagnosed with School phobia. Put on Home & Hospital. Attended school sporadically.

November

• Clive, Sheryl & Me - Performed in Stake Musical, Within These Walls
• Only 4 doctor appointments!

December

• Kevin - pneumonia & slight ear infection
• Grandpa Michaelis died of Congenital Heart Failure

January

• The Calm Before the Storm

February

• Micoplasma Pneumonia hit the family. Mars was hospitalized for 5 days with it in both lungs. Sheryl was put on a Home IV to keep her out of the hospital. She was so weak and down to 68 pounds. Kevin had a relapse in both lungs from his illness in December.  I had borderline pneumonia. Highly contagious. No one could help us.

March

• Marisa - Chicken pox
• Clive - Pneumonia
• Kevin - Chicken pox. So bad that he was nearly hospitalized. They were internal & caused his throat to swell. He couldn't swallow. Developed a fever & had yet another relapse of pneumonia.

It is hard to believe, but during our 15 month nightmare, Spencer stayed healthy. All I had to worry about with him was taking care of his flat feet and keep him in his specialized shoes.

It is a wonder that I survived at all.

But I do know that it was only possible because of

faith & prayers.

I leaned on the Savior and He held me up,

carrying me much of the way

until I could again stand on my own

... but I will never try to rely on my own strength.

That is why He suffered in Gethsemane.

And I'm full of thanks.



Cyprus 69er's Luncheon

Over the past year or so I've enjoyed reconnecting with some of my high school classmates through Facebook.

I was so shy in high school that I didn't have a lot of real "friends," but was influenced greatly by those with whom I associated in day to day classes and activities.

Our Facebook conversations have opened up a lot of feelings, attitudes, beliefs, woes, and rejoicings.

We've shared the wisdom that we've gleaned through age and experience and have begun establishing deep friendships.

When Dave and Amber said that they would be in town for a couple of days, we worked hard to find a tiny block of time that would give us all an opportunity to meet for lunch. The message was sent to any who might be interested and we met at Sweet Tomatoes for a little food and a lot of "catching up."

Jacquie Coon Catten, Debbie Backman Jenson & Sherryl Riley Case.

These women were always in the forefront through our school years, serving in leadership capacities. I never knew any of them to be anything but friendly, kind, & filled with integrity.

Jacquie is a retired high school History teacher; Debbie is enrolled in belly dancing classes; Sherryl is "grammy" to eight grandkids.



Clive & I went to school together from Kindergarten through High School.
We were just classmates until seven years after graduation when we finally discovered one another. We were both involved in music and frequently crossed paths during our school years.

Rich Patonai & wife, Deb.
I didn't really know Rich very well in school. I do know that he ran track. He has traveled the world from France to the jungles of South America and has degrees in Engineering and Computer Science.

Dave Bringhurst & wife, Amber.
I had a huge crush on Dave when we were seniors. We worked together on the Seminary newspaper staff & we went to Girl's Pref together. He is an amazing artist and an avid bicyclist. He has suffered from diabetes for many years and has lost a leg and the eyesight in one eye. I've never known a kinder man than this one.

We're planning to throw a 60th Birthday Bash for the class this summer.
It should be a blast!

The Women In My Life

On Saturday I had the privilege of being with the women in my life.
There were four generations of us gathered together
to share hugs and chat and rejoice in our love.

I just can't get enough of my four granddaughters ...

Mayci (4), Gracyn (5), Charlotte (8 mo), & Avery (6 1/2)

They exude excitement for life & make me feel like a child again.

Nancy & I relish every moment that we have with Mom.
We are so grateful for the things she has taught us
and that we can now take care of her like she took care of us.
I never laugh more than when I am with my sisters.

My daughters love to play and learn together.
We never run out of conversation or projects.
They are my inspiration.
Sheryl, Marisa, Kristen, Wendy, Melanie

My Special Thursdays

Everything about grandchildren is special,
but occasionally a grandma has an opportunity
for time with one of her darlings
that belongs to them alone.



Every Thursday Tegan and I lock ourselves into our own
musical world ...
me as the teacher and Tegan as the student.
Though I've played the piano for half a century,
this is my first attempt at teaching my craft.
I hope that our time together will lead to the discovery of talent & ability,
but even more, my wish is to create a bond of love & trust with a truly wonderful grandson!

A Bouquet of Roses

I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an optimist. I like to see the glass half full and usually try to think the best of people and situations.

I came to a stark realization this morning.

In spite of my optimistic nature,
I have a tendency to see thorns.

When I look out my back window my eye is immediately directed to the patch of yard that has been untended and is filled with rocks and weeds. This morning, however, rather than cast my eyes toward the ground, I looked up. The scene that unfolded before me was breathtaking. In the distance I viewed a row of stately pine trees reaching heavenward. Yesterday’s fog had been pushed away by ribbons of pastel pink clouds weaving through a sea of blue skies.

The beauty of the scene immediately caused my thoughts to turn toward God and I uttered a prayer of gratitude. I knew that today would be wonderful because at its inception I was offered a
bouquet of roses.

Mr. City Councilman

Okay, I know I'm slow, but it is really important that I make this post.

After a long campaign trail, Clive was elected to the West Jordan City Council

in November. He ran in 2007 for a district seat and lost by a very narrow margin of 97 votes.

In 2009 he ran again, but this time at-large.

He spent several months, hundreds of hours, and walked untold miles

campaigning from one end of the city to another.

West Jordan is now the fourth largest city in Utah, so it was no small task.

Just two weeks before the election he was down with the H1N1, so lost ten very valuable campaign days, but still came out victorious!

On January 4th family and friends gathered for the swearing-in of the newly elected

mayor and council members.

Council members Chad Nichols & Clive Killpack
and Mayor Melissa Johnson

Part of the Killpack Clan:
Kristen, Kevin, Kirsti, Spencer, Clive, Wendy, Tegan, Mayci, Sheryl, Darren & Jayden

Marisa, Clive & Jonathan

Clive with Mom & Dad:
Ralph & Edith Osborne

Some of the siblings:
Gayle, Nell, Mike, Colleen & Linda

February Happenings

February was a fun-filled month of activities with family and friends.

We celebrated the 26th Anniversary of our Dinner Group with

Jeff & Tamra Koch, Don & Jana Quigley and Alan & Linda Mangum.

Marisa, Sheryl, and I had a wonderful sewing day together.

The Killpack and Miles families gathered together at Village Inn
to celebrate Avery's 6th birthday.
She's modeling the robe I sewed for her as Gracyn looks on.

Grandma & Grandpa were able to enjoy a very noisy weekend with Jayden, Tegan, & Mayci.
We went bowling and made hand-puppets.

Kevin compares his bowling ball tummy to Marisa's pregnant belly
at his surprise bowling birthday party.

I sewed valentine pincushions for my Visiting Teaching ladies.

Jayden made an awesome SIX baskets at his game!