Papa is Here

Our friend Bob Fleming, Micah's Dad, is living with us now, after spending a couple of weeks at the University of Utah Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He arrived in Utah on moving day and Aaron's birthday, April 21st. They have bought a home together at 3160 Upland Dr.
Right now Bob is too weak for surgery or chemo therapy for his cancer. So he is in Grandma Galli's room, where the queen sized hospital bed she bought still works--but now we have only twin mattress for it! Here he can watch Aaron play and have fewer people poking at him.

Aaron was saying his name this morning: "Papa."

The photo of Laurel at the top of the blog shows her after a day's work preparing food we are feeding Bob. He's been taking it for most of two weeks in his G-tube, which he's had most of the time since his surgery last September. In case you are curious, here's what he has been eating until lately (and when we weren't looking in the hospital):
Water, Corn Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium & Calcium Caseinates, Soy Fiber, Soy Protein Isolate, Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Chloride, Soy Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Zinc Sulfate, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate, Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Chromium Chloride, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Phylloquinone, Cyanocobalamin, and Vitamin D3.
Contains milk and soy ingredients.

Here's our magical mix (Recipe by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Specifically formulated for G-tube feeding):

Fresh juices of carrot, apple, melon, mango, lettuce, kale, spinach, parsley mixed with chopped sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, blended with avocado, fresh blueberries, strawberries, gogi berry juice, and two or more of the following: lightly steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, collards, kale, ground flaxseed.

To this we add probiotics, plant based iron, garlic and oregano oil (remember, it doesn’t have to taste good!) As of today we are adding some herbs recommended by Dr. Elmore, a local chiropractor.

Micah, Laurel, Rachel and I have contributed to making and administrating this. It’s much easier to do at home, where nurses are not confronting us about the need for protein (there's lots of protein in this, and more was available through plant-based protein supplements, if the dietician wanted it).

FOOD, Glorious FOOD!

Special feature: Aaron at breakfast this morning!

The Best Day

We have had two beautiful October weekends in a row. The first was a cabin trip for conference. We posted one radio in the kitchen with the antennae taped to a nail on the wall above and the curtain rod, and the old "boom box" in the living room with a hanger against the window. Laurel assiduously worked on her 1500 piece James Christensen Shakespearean puzzle (perhaps in sympathy with Hope!). She ultimately finished in Sunday afternoon. Micah and Rachel, having had little sleep, took turns playing, "shhh-pat"ing Aaron in their new and helpful efforts to help Aaron sleep (thanks to The Baby Whisperer and The No Cry Sleep Solution), and napping.Laurel agreed to make breakfast on Saturday if I would make scones on Sunday, so we did. The scones were like whole wheat rolls, fried. Could have been worse, could have been better! No pictures of those, sorry. They looked like little brown knobs.

I don't have photos of the Peterson's visit on Sunday afternoon between sessions and for the last session, but it was a treat to lounge with them on the porch in the golden fall sunshine, and to have their help cleaning up lunch and winterizing both cabins. Cleo gave Morgan a little caper round and round and in and out of the cabin. It was good for Morgan, but she did not see it that way.

Between sessions on Saturday, Rachel and I headed up the Fish Lake trail to the meadow. Over and over we exclaimed, "This is the best day of the year!" We were in Weber heaven with the shimmering aspen decorating the air and fir trees, storybook clouds scudding across the deep blue sky, and heaven's words filling our souls.

Craig must have thought so too, for that afternoon when fishing with Micah he caught possibly his all-time grandest fish from that river. We decided it was a bishop's bonus and memorialized it with a boys' portrait. Craig and Micah went down the canyon to celebrate Micah's birthday at Hi-Mountain Drug in Kamas, followed by the priesthood session.While they were gone for so long, we decided that was the day to feed Aaron his first solids, so we peeled and cooked a pear on the stove in a little water, then blended it in the ancient cabin Osterizer from the cupboard. Aaron was delighted, and had no problem swallowing his food. He has joyfully been eating some fruits and veggies and a little brown rice ever since.Sunday was again the best day of the year, for all the same reasons plus the sabbath. We collected in the front room near the fire, and Rachel brought out the marshmallows. Craig and I dearly loved President Monson's Sunday morning talk. What love and faith he shows in his willingness to follow the promptings of the spirit, nothing doubting! We are striving for the same.Other favorite talks include Elder Christofferson's talk on repentance and, of course, Sister Dalton's powerful call to fathers to cherish their daughters! That was a historic talk. Which were your favorites?

This weekend, Craig, Laurel and I traveled south to Dixie so that Laurel could attend Snow Canyon's homecoming dance with her good friend Brandon Graves ("Brando" to Craig). While they hiked in the early morning and played games at the mall, Mom, Dad, Craig and I attended a beautiful session at the temple, and enjoyed multi-grain pancakes at the Black Bear Diner. It was a fitting way to celebrate Yom Kippur, but every day at the temple is holy!

I'm not sure if any of our daughters successfully pinned boutineer on their date in high school! It's not a family skill. This time Craig did the job.

I apologize for the low-resolution of these photos--I had my camera on the wrong setting.

An old song is stuck in my head: 'Time is my friend, for every time we meet, the time we spend is tender and sweet." I thank the Lord for sweet times with our family and friends!