Missing Grandpa

Whew, it has been a very busy last few weeks! After Addie had recovered from surgery we had preschool at our house. For three weeks I was in constant creative mode trying to figure out fun crafts, ideas, and snacks for a handful of 3-5 year olds. It was fun but a big sigh of relief on my last day! We also have been going to Idaho on the weekends to go snowboarding at Pomerelle. Scott and I have loved being on our boards and the kids love spending time with Grandma, Charite, and cousins. It's been a win, win for all of us! Already looking forward to this weekend! This last weekend we were also there on a sad note, and that was for my Grandpa's funeral. He passed away the Saturday before (March 20th) at the hospital in Burley.















Friday night, March 19th, we were in Burley and ate dinner with the Larson side. We had known that Grandpa wasn't doing so well and we wanted the kids to have a chance to say goodbye. After dinner we went to the hospital and let the kids see him. He did not look like the Grandpa they knew but they were so brave and did so good. Grandpa was mostly sleeping now and didn't really open his eyes anymore or eat. It's hard to watch our loved ones get old. Tennessee saw him and walked right over to the bed. He touched grandpa and I lifted him so he could kiss him on the forehead. As soon as he did grandpa's mouth moved. I told Tennessee that grandpa was saying "Thank You". Tennessee touched his hands and face and talked to grandpa. He told me that "grandpa looks old". Addie was a little more reserved and frightened. She wanted to be held up to see him but not quite wanting to go near. At the end she blew a kiss and her and Tennessee told Grandpa that they loved them. It was a tender moment for all of us there. Parker didn't understand at all but was a very good baby and just watched it all. He probably knew more than the rest of us. I was also able to say my goodbye's and Scott as well. We went home that evening for my mom to get woken up at 4:30 the next morning informed that grandpa was having difficulty breathing and that the family should go in. Grandma Larson and all their kids immediately went to the hospital. Grandpa had a touchy day Saturday. He would have rough spells and then seem to be at peace. Scott and I went snowboarding during the day and as soon as I got home I went back into the hospital. I got there around four and found Geri and Sam. We visited with more cousins and family that had arrived. I didn't get a chance to go see Grandpa on Saturday, but I was okay because I felt it was more important for his children and his wife to be with him and spend all the time they needed. I was at peace having been able to say goodbye and knowing that he was surrounded by family that loved him so dearly. I learned a lot waiting in hospital's with my dad. Nothing much needs to be said, it's just nice being together. Laughing, crying, hugging and comforting. Not really caring if your wearing clothes that you slept in, snowboarded in, or actually made it through the shower and got ready for the day. It's just nice being together as a family, knowing that when it comes down to it our family is the only thing that lasts forever. The most important part is the relationships we created here on earth and the people we become through life's lessons together.

Grandpa passed away around 6:30 that evening surrounded by his wife and his children. Tracy had made sure grandma had walked around for a bit and ate some food. The kids and grandma then went into the room and a prayer was offered by Tracy telling grandpa that it was okay for him to go. Almost immediately after the prayer Grandpa passed away. It was a sad moment, but one that I'm glad I shared with my family. We all said our goodbye's again and hugged grandma. After about an hour we all gathered in the room and said a family prayer before the mortician's came for the body. The healing had begun.

Grandpa's funeral was wonderful. Tracy gave the life sketch and his brother Glenn spoke. I learned that if I have thinning hair it's all thanks to my Grandpa's side and that I may be stubborn and cry. Huh, never knew :) The viewing had been the night before at Rasmussen funeral home. Everything was perfect except the weather which I feared would blow us all away....but that's Idaho. Grandpa was always very proud of his service in World War II and he had the soldier's burial complete with soldiers in uniform, shooting of the guns, and folding the flag for my Grandma. It was a neat experience. Before we could go back to the church to eat we helped Rocky and Stacey change a flat tire in Stacey's parents van. Never seen Rocky or Scott change a tire in a suit so we had to take some pics.















We enjoyed the rest of the day with family and having a great reunion with all our relatives celebrating Grandpa's life. We will miss him dearly, but I know we will see him again and that he is now helping us on the other side. We Love You Grandpa!

The picture of us at the top was taken at the Larson family Christmas party in December. Grandpa wasn't quite himself but still had some spunk in him, I love it!

On the road to recovery

So on Wed. Feb 24th Addie went in for surgery and had her tonsils and adenoids removed. We had explained all that was going to happen and she was ready! We packed a blanket & Maddie (her doll) and headed for the surgical center bright and early, 6:15 in the morning! On the way there she talked and talked about all the Popsicle's and ice cream she would get to eat and the movies she would watch. She also informed us that today her tonsils were not touching. Good to know since they are being removed. We arrived and got all the paperwork done and checked in. The nurses loved Addie and kept her entertained by letting her pick out all the pretty stickers she wanted. She got ten total and we had to lay out each one to admire and count. Soon we were back on a hospital bed changing Addie into a gown, which itched so she took it back off, and prepped for surgery. The anotheologist came in and explained what he would do and the breathing tube that would be inserted. (Kind of scary when they are talking about your daughter.) Then it was time for surgery. Scott and I gave her lots of hugs and kisses before the nurse wheeled her away and we went back to the waiting room.



Addie before surgery













Addie's sticker's

























Half hour later the doctor called us back and told us how good Addie did. He said her "kissing tonsils" were HUGE and definitely needed to come out. Some of the biggest he'd seen on such a tiny girl. He told us we would probably notice drastic changes with her sleeping, breathing, and not being sick. That would be nice since she has seemed to be sick all winter long. Sleeping through the night would be heaven to us! She would climb in bed with Scott and I four to five times a night!! One night as I watched her sleeping I noticed that she would inhale in and then completely stop breathing. About fifteen seconds later she would gasp for air and then do it all over again. That was one of the main reasons we took her to an ENT to get her HUGE tonsils checked. Also at night she would snore and toss and turn making it impossible for Scott and I to sleep next to her leaving us all exhausted in the morning. So sleep, sweet sleep would be sooo, sooo nice! He said that we wouldn't hear her breathing anymore and would probably check on her constantly since we have grown accustomed to her heavy breathing. When Sam lived with us he would say she was the only person he had known that could snore while they were awake :) Sad, but totally true!

After meeting with the doc we went back to the waiting room to wait for her to wake up. We had just sat down when the nurse came looking for us. Addie had woken up and was not too happy. She had let the nurses know they were not her mama! As we headed back to the recovery area we could hear Addie the closer we got. She was mad!! When we got to her she calmed down a little when I picked her up but not much. She was in pain, had an IV in her hand, numb throat, and wanted her tonsils put back! :) we spent forty five minutes singing, rocking, comforting and nothing worked. Finally we realized we could get TV on Scott's phone and found Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel. Within seconds she stopped crying and watched the show. Then she wanted her juice and a popsicle. She was set. The nurse came in with Tylenol and said if she drank it she would take out the IV. Addie downed it! We waited fifteen more minutes before the nurse said she was doing great and we could go home! Hurray! 9:30 was a lot earlier than we expected! We got the prescriptions and headed for Jamba juice and then the pharmacy.



Finally happy and watching Mickey Mouse with her purple popsicle














In the car with Jamba juice and her orange popsicle














Addie just getting home













Since her surgery Addie has been incredible!! She is so mellow and even when you know she is in pain she doesn't show it. We kept her on the pain meds every four hours for the first three days and then went to nights only when she would cry and want it. She has really only cried at night when her throat "hurts big" and as soon as we give her the pain med she instantly falls back asleep. She has watched movies, slept, played games, colored, and ate lots and lots of popsicles. She is a trooper! I know she really doesn't feel good when I find her hiding in pillows almost asleep. They warned us that some of the hardest days are five through seven when the scabs start to fall off. It becomes really uncomfortable for them. She still has sailed right through. She was a little touchy but mostly just wanted to rest and watch more movies. Her breath however is terrible!! You think brushing her teeth will help but no...it's rotting tissue that has yet to fade. Ugh, looking forward to good breath soon!



Addie hiding in pillows on Day 3, still recovering and sore.


























Finally wanting to eat food but can't stay awake to do it

















Coloring with the boys....getting better!

















So today is day 10 and she is wanting to stay in jammies and watch movies. Everyday she is getting back to her normal self with a stinkin cute little voice. We are looking forward to having lots of fun next week and hopefully no movies!