Class was in session

Last night I held my first in home class. We created the Holiday Planners. It was so much fun and everyone completed their planner in record time. We shared stories, & had lots of laughter throughout the evening.
Good news, Kristan found a doctor for Morgan that specializes in the stress related seizures that she is overcome with. The doctor is out of Mayo clinic and close, so they won't have to drive clear across the valley for appointments. Kristan said that she had been praying for an answer and when she got up from her prayers the phone rang and a doctor on the other end said he had a referral for Kristan to call.
Dr. Jennifer Bortz is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist specializing in diagnostic assessment of patients with known and suspected neurologic conditions. Her primary area of expertise is in neuropsychological evaluation of individuals with seizure disorders, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric imitators of neurologic illness. She provides adjunct psychotherapy for patients with primary neurological conditions as well as individuals with cognitive concerns secondary to depression, anxiety and related psychological factors affecting health and well- being.
We are so excited to finally find a doctor should be able to help Morgan recover from this nightmare she has been living this past year.. that started with her foot being run over a year ago. Your prayers are so appreciated.
http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/

Prayers

I am coming on my blog today to ask for a special favor from each of you who read my blog. My grandaughter Morgan is going thru a really TOUGH time and needs all the prayers in her behalf we can send to our Heavenly Father. She is still having seizures daily and needs us to be her advocates each day. I know that this may be a lot to ask of many of you who don't even know me or my beautiful grandaughter. But I know that my Father in Heaven does answer prayers and will help. She has several doctors who are researching and studying to help find answers to help her also. My daughter Kristan is so strong and is doing such an amazing job of taking care of Morgan. She needs our prayers also for strength and the knowledge to do those things she can acomplish. Thanks in advance to all of you for your continued support and your prayers .

by Stephanie Tafoya

Every Fall

This week was my annual visit to the Doctor for the "dreaded yearly physical" . I don't know why I dread it so much; it really is quick and re-assuring. My Dr. is a fantastic young woman named Lindsay Teel, she is a nurse practitioner in family practice. She is gentle and so thorough in her exam. She doesn't make me feel like she is too busy to answer my questions or any concerns that I might have. We talked for quite a while as she answered several questions I had and I am pleased that I passed with flying colors on my E.K.G. and blood work and pap test and all over physical. Lindsay was a little concerned with my level count on my triglycerides. Even though I eat lots of fish, she wanted me to go on a higher regimen of omega 3 to help lower my triglycerides, I was taking fish oil twice a day and now I have these huge capsules that I take 4 times a day.. She said many people are pre-disposed to higher levels so this should help lower them. I have my mammogram & bone scan next week..
This week is my Holiday Planner class at my home and I'm very excited to teach it. I have 6 coming to take the class, so I am getting everything prepped and cut ahead.

Balloons to Heaven

Each year on the Sunday closest to October 19th, our family sends notes and wishes to grampa in heaven. Each one of my grandchildren take a few minutes and write a special note to their grampa in heaven. They are all so special and from their hearts.. they share with him, what they are doing in their lives, what they are feeling and just share their love for him. We then we tie them on to white helium balloons and send them off skyward.. Such a tender and special tradition that I love and it helps everyone remember Kent a little more and brings his love closer to each of them.

Happy Birthday Tyler

Today is my youngest grandson Tyler's 6th birthday.

He is such a sweet boy and I love him so much.. He is in full day kindergarten and loves school. He didn't think the time would ever come for him to get to go to school..

So when this school year rolled around he was ready..

He loves to perform for the family and has so much energy.

Love you Tyler

1,460 days

October 19, 2004 is 1,460 days ago.. That is the day my sweet Kent passed away. This week I have been thinking of him almost constantly and remembering our love and our lives together. I have been remembering those happy times and the specail times

and those little quirks that made Kent who he was.

Like:

* When I wanted to get something he would say, "if it will make you happy".

* If we were going to make a large purchase he always said, "let's sleep on it",

I would be sure that we would lose the deal or it would be gone the next day,

but somehow it always worked out.

** We would be shopping or picking something out and I'd ask him

if he liked sit and he would say "it doesn't do a thing for me"..
** Starting a sentence with "like I say"..

** He would never throw a broken appliance or a golf bag out, he would say

"lets keep it just in case"..

( I never could figure out when just in case would be)

**Loved to go to those heartfelt movies and as we were walking out,

he would say "they just don't make them like that any more".

* Kent loved working in the yard and our yard was always perfect.

* He love playing golf with his buddies on Saturday and would take turns getting

up around 2 am to go get in line at the golf course to get their name on the list..

* He loved his children and grandchildren and would do anything for them

* He could never sit still for very long, so he was always doing something.

* He would yell with the TV when he was watching ASU football or a Suns game,

just like he was in the stands.. .

* He could watch the Roy Orbison Black & White TV special over and over.

.Just loved the music.

When I think of Kent I have so many wonderful memories and love to remember

those times we had together. When ever I would see Kent walking toward me I was always so proud that he was, not only my husband but my best friend as well.

My love for Kent grows stronger each day and as an eternal family I know that I will be with him again for eternity and can't wait to see him .. I know that he will have that great smile on his face and give me a kiss with those soft lips. Until that time I know that he is busy working in heaven and always watching over his family. I feel him with me so often and know that he is right here beside me, helping me every day.

To Kent

Strength and courage aren't

always measured in medals

and victories. They are measured

in the struggles that they overcome.

The strongest people aren't always

the people who win, but the people

who don't give up when they lose.

Ashley Hodgeson

Thank you for being strong even at the end..Love you forever.

My Card Classes

My next card class at Mad Scrappers are on Wednesday November 5th at 10:30 and 6:30. I have been working on the samples for this class today and here are a couple of the cards we will be making.. We will make the fun Muppet card,(inspired by a card made by a friend Laura Warneke in Idaho, thanks Laura for this cute card) a get well card and 2 Thanksgiving cards, and 2 fall themed cards that can be Thanksgiving or thank you cards.. Make sure you are signed up for this fun class..

Starting to get Ready for the Holidays

This week I have been concentrating on getting ready for the holiday's and creating the samples for my up-coming classes. I love this time of year and love getting involved in the entire spirit of the fall and holiday season..maybe it's the cooler days and nights, & the stores are decorated with all things fall plus I'm burning my new Harvest candle from Yankee candles to make my whole place smell great. I just love this time of year, our hearts are turned to thinking of others more than any other time of year..I just love it..can you tell.. I have been working on Christmas presents for my family & friends as well as working on my class samples..

Each year on the Monday evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas I deliver a little something to each of my children's homes.. It has become a wonderful tradition and I love doing it and they really like to see me on Monday evening to see what I have for them..it might be a warm loaf of pumpkin bread, or ornaments for the tree or a holiday decoration or yummy hot chocolate.. It's a lot of fun to plan and then see my grand kids faces when I deliver their special treat.

Be sure and visit my other blog with my up-coming classes on it to see the fun things we will be making in the next few weeks. saywhatdesigns.blogspot.com

There's nothing

like the feeling

of sheer joy of

wanting to get

up and help the

world go around.

Heidi Wills

Something to hope for.

Well back to work..talk to you later

Empty Nester

I feel like an empty nester again..Judy and Tricia left yesterday and it is really quiet around here. We had so much fun during the visit, here are a few of the things we did:
* *Sat by the fountains each morning, Judy and Tricia with their lattes and me my peach tea.
* *Movies: The Women (2 times- great movie), Nights at Rodanthe (2 times- a must see) had to take Tricia to these when she arrived. House Bunny (not recommended), Lakeview Terrace (so scary), Flash of Genius (wonderful movie) & Ghost Town (liked this one too)
* * Shopping around the valley, everything from SAS for ribbon and buttons to Scottsdale Fashion Square and of course Desert Ridge, and a new favorite place "HOBBY LOBBY"..wow what a wonderful store, just wish it wasn't clear across the valley..
* * Eating out at: CPK, The Greenhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Cafepino (awesome restaurant), Rubios, Paradise Bakery, Grand Luxe.
* * Attended my granddaughters choir concert and my grandson's ball game.
* * Did I mention shopping and more shopping.
* * Sitting by the fountains at Desert Ridge in the evenings..Peaceful and so relaxing.
Just had a great time for 2 weeks.. Love having Judy visit and it was an extra treat to have Tricia come for a few days. Judy taught a class while she was here that I got to take it and they both attended my card classes and got to meet the neat gals I have in my classes.
So now I have to get back to work and get busy on up-coming projects for classes , and Christmas presents, & kits for sale. Plus shifts at W.S. Have a good weekend.

Thanks to all of you who are asking about Morgan. She is progressing slowly..but getting a little better each day. Kristan has dedicated her time to getting Morgan stronger and back on her feet. I know that Morgan can whip this and will be stronger for it.

It's already Friday, this visit of Judy is going way to fast... Judy and I went to see "Flash of Genius"today. What a great movie. Love true stories.

Walked around Desert Ridge this evening. Beautiful weather, lots of people, and live music to listen to. Love being close to Desert Ridge..we go there morning and evening. Tomorrow our friend Tricia from Moscow Idaho is arriving to join our party for a few days.. We are looking forward to showing her the sights of Phoenix.

Judy and I have been keeping very busy.. We start each day with a trip to sit by the fountain at Desert Ridge and enjoy the cooler mornings, she has her "iced, venti, non-fat latte" and I have my iced peach herb tea.. and watch all the toddlers play in the fountain. We have been going to a movie each day until today and we broke the mold with a trip to Bazzill this morning to pick up my paper order and take a tour for Judy to see how awesome the company is. Got to see all the fun girls that put on Creative Escape while we were there. We are having the first class tonight at my home. We are making the darling "Little Princess Mini Album". We have 5 ladies coming and I'm so excited to have the classes finally starting and what fun to have Judy here for it. Will post pictures tomorrow..