Don't we all just love Daylight Saving Time!

Dearest Family,

     Happy Birthday on Monday, the 20th to Dak & Tchae!  Happy 7th Birthday on Thursday, the 23rd to Leanne!  Then on Friday, the 24th to Aunt Kathy!  Hope each of you have a special day!

      Don't we all just love Daylight Saving Time!   This week has been a week of adjusting!   It has also been an enjoyable week!  We have had some special times with family!  The Fikes arrived Thursday Evening!  We enjoyed having them here so very much.  Friday we spent the day here at home - worked in the yard, hauling branched & finished the quilt in the house! Darece & Whitney were also here. Friday night we gathered with everyone at the Grant home for dinner!   It was so great to be together! Saturday, Dad & I went to Billings to the temple.  Cheyenne received her endowment & it was wonderful to be there with them. Had a great day!!!  

      Had a nice visit with Jane, our cousin in Denmark.   She had been trying to find a Jens Pedersen, who is a younger brother to Grandpa Frank Petersen. She had found him on a Danish Census in 1930 & 1940 & he was widowed, which means he had a wife!.   But then she was just stuck!  She posted on a Danish Family Tree & received a response!  The name of his wife, Rasmine, she died 10 days after giving birth to their son.  We have found the son still alive when he was about 9 so far!   She has found another family for our family Tree!

       Today was so nice in the Powell 2nd ward, spoke in Sacrament meeting then helped in a Elders/High Priest group also!  Great Day

        Little Cozy had surgery to put in a permanent Shunt & is recovering from that - our prayers are with her!

       We love you all - have a great week - & CTR

Dearest Family,

     Well, it has been a wonderful week!  We have enjoyed doing phone visits, Skyping, & visiting with people in their homes. It is great to be feeling better & enjoying being out & about!  

     We were in one home this week when a lady stopped by doing a Drug survey for some company!  She apologized for interrupting but we mentioned what we were doing & she was super interested, not a member, but fascinated that there was a place that it could be done with out paying!  She was a person that believed that God's hand was in all we did - shared with us a time when she had $80 dollars - pay a bill - & that was it for some time.  She was to meet someone whom she supervised do a Census enumeration project,at a McDonalds.  When she grabbed the door handle to go in, this powerful impression came over her that she was to give the $80 to someone inside.  When she got inside, there was only one person there, she put the money on the table by her, the lady bust into tears of gratitude, & wanted info so she could sometime pay her back, which she refused to give her.   Later that week she received in the mail a refund from a company of $80 dollars, so then she could pay her bill!   She felt she had been guided in the same way to us, to learn about Family History!    We will see what happens!  but, it does remind me that all people are guided to do good things & be of service to others!

     Today we started our day in Byron in their Sacrament meeting, then on to Powell & attended two wards there, speaking in their Sacrament Meetings.  The second one in Powell was Aunt Gaye & Uncle Frank's ward.   it was nice to attend the rest of the meetings there.  We so enjoy sharing our testimonies & the blessing of others of our Apostles with the Saints.  We are so gratelul for the guidance & protection we receive!

       It has also been a nice week here at home, some outside work, some quilting, Dad & Rob went biking for a while on Saturday!  

      A report on the newest Greats,   the Hellberg twins are both over 8 lbs.  & Cozy weighs almost 6 lbs.   We are looking forwards to the arrival of Kenny & Rosie's little gal in about three weeks!  And to those who haven't heard, Bo & McKenzea are expecting a little boy in July!   Our Family contunies to Grow-w-w-!

     We love you all & are excited to have the Fike's here this coming weekend.

Love  Mom & Dad

I have add the latest updates on our little ones - I think most of you probably see it on Facebook, but excuse the duplication.

Paisley & Brindle weighed in at 8 lbs 3oz & 8 lbs 11oz as of last week.

Below is Cozy's report;

12 weeks old.
Nearly 38 gestational weeks.

As we get closer and closer to her due date, Cozy has three, basic hurdles that she needs to tackle before she will be allowed to come home:

1) Eyes need to be "cleared".
We are seemingly at the home stretch for this one. Eyes are unchanged and look to be improving slightly with each passing week. Perfect! ✔️

2) The reservoir...
We are at the point where doctors need to decide-
Will Cozy be able to drain her CSF on her own?
OR
Will she need a second surgery to insert a permanent shunt?
Chances are extremely (and by "extremely", I mean EXTREMELY) high that a shunt will be necessary. We hope to hear more about a plan of action sometime this next week.
(Honestly, I just wish they would schedule the dang thing so we could move on!)

3) Feedings 
This area has been incredibly slow-going. Cozy will take a pacifier at times, but she is mostly uninterested and uncomfortable with things in her mouth. We still have yet to try a bottle, but are taking very small, positive, baby steps to prepare her for mouth feeds. At this point, we still don't know if she has the skills to swallow. Time will tell (<--- my whole life lately!).

If Cozy continues to show an aversion to mouth feedings, the hospital would be willing to forego that milestone and send her home with the feeding tube. However, her eyes and head "situation" will need to be resolved before her homecoming. It could be before her due date... it could be weeks after... Could be a month after... We really have no idea yet :/

Other than that, our girl is stable, almost six pounds, and just as sweet as can be

 

Well - this week we have stayed pretty close to home!

Dearest Family,

     Well - this week we have stayed pretty close to home!  Dad's making progress with his coughing bug & I am a couple of days behind him.  This too shall pass!

      On Tuesday we were to train Missionaries in Billings - but did it over Skype!  We didn't need to breathe on all of them. It went great until they tried to use their mobile devices and FS in SLC was down. There have been two major updates in FS recently and we suspect they ran into some un-forseen glitches. The missionaries will have to practice on their own later.  On WednesdayEvening we were help a Ward Youth Group - Dad stayed home, I went & we had other helpers - so appreciate them.  Also did a Skype training with a High councilor over FH in Arizona. FS in SLC had referred him to us so we could help him learn the mobile apps. He and his wife were so excited on what could be done on mobile! We did most of our training activities over the phone this week!  And sometimes that works but on-site is better whenever possible!!

      Had wonderful visits this week by phone with of the Ky & Joy, also Isaac & Vicki! Had a wonderful short visit also with Tchae.  He came to Lovell to go to a wedding reception on Saturday evening & spent the afternoon with us. I fitted his new suit & will alter it a little.  He even quilted on their wedding quilt for a while! He drove back to Casper after the reception. Dad attended the funeral for Melba Tippetts (90+) today to support this family that we have know so many years.

     Today was a busy day for Dad, he went to the Greybull Ward to train the new Bishop and WC in FH matters. It was a wonderful day for him since the ward is ready to get going in FH at all levels. He also spoke to the HP grp, YM and YW groups sharing the blessing that the Lord promises to those who do FH in any of its forms! I stayed home & had a very quiet day! Dad reviewed his day with me this evening, sharing all the spiritual events he witnessed today.

We love you all - Have a great week!!!!    Love Mom & Dad

It has been a busy & exciting week, with a few firsts for us!

Dearest Family!

      Happy Birthday, Connor, on Wednesday, March 1st!

      It has been a busy & exciting week, with a few firsts for us!  On Tuesday, we did our first training with full time missionaries.  President Wadsworth, the mission President & his wife, were meeting in Bozeman with three zones. We did training with them over Skype & felt it went well!  We understand there were about 40 missionaries there!

     Again, this week, we were able to Skype with Aubrei!   She is a Ward T& FH Consultant, abt age 19, & is amazing!  She shared an experience that she had had with the Young Women in her ward training them.  

       Our supervisor in SLC was so excited to call us on Tuesday & share his experience with the Apps.   He is also a consultant in his ward.  He'd had the inspiration to cast the image on his phone to a TV beside the room where they usually help people with FH, after Sac Meeting & during SS time.  People would stop by & ask him what he was doing.   He had the opportunity to help several find names in just a few minutes!  

       Several nights this week we visited with Will Croft, helping him with the Apps!  He is very excited, & wants to get the members of his Hardin branch involved.   We also spent an afternoon in Cody, visiting with the Hopkins,  directors of the Cody Murals visitor's Center.  One of the highlights of the Center is the Keyosk about Family History.  They were wanting ideas & exposure to the Apps,  to see how this might be used there next summer.  They have Senior Couples called to serve there for the summer & want them to help people in the Family History center that is also located there.  

     Four afternoons this week ladies have come & helped with the quilt!   It has been fun to visit!  So appreciate their willingness to share their talents! Today was a quieter day, spoke in the Lovell 3rd ward, then spent the afternoon & evening at home.  Dad has been fighting a cough, so even took a nap!

      Enjoyed listening to a few BB games over the internet, it was regional BB Tournament.   Also are trying to review the Roots Tech broadcasts which we missed the weekend we were in Bozeman.  There are some really special ones.  President Russell M Nelson & wife Wendy do one that is great!  Here's the link if you want to turn it on while you'r driving or working around the house.     https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/familydiscoveryday/nelson?lang=eng&old=true 

     I have also included Kirena's 10 week old report of Cozy & a photo!

Love to all of you!    

Ten weeks old. 35 gestational weeks.

In some ways I can hardly believe it's been so long. In others, it feels like an eternity of hospital visits.

My sweet Cosette changes almost daily. This stage of life is full of growth, and it's so fun to see her transform from a preemie into a newborn. She is nearly five pounds now (about 17 inches long), but still wearing preemie clothing (small ones at that!).

We had some small breakthroughs with her reservoir. Typically they remove 10g per kilo (15-18 cc's of fluid), but three times in a row, they hit 5cc's, and her fontanel started to sink. This means we finally have caught up with her excess! They have tapped much less over the past week in hopes she will need it less frequently. The issue is not resolved, but we may finally have a handle on things. This also means her head is looking more rounded and "normal". It's a happy thing to see!

We also began to introduce the beginning steps to bottle feeding. This is a massive step for Cozy, and we are anxious to see if she will have the capability to bottle feed. It may be weeks or even months until we know more, but we will continue to help her stretch that comfort zone.

Those are about the only things to report. There's really no end in sight as to when she can come home. Our biggest hope is that maybe she will be transferred to a closer hospital so our family can be a little less strained. We dream of the day you can meet your big brother!

What a great week - weather has been warmer,

Dearest Family,

     Happy Anniversary, Bo & McKinzea, on Wednesday, February 22!

     What a great week - weather has been warmer, a pleasant break from all the cold we have had!  Above freezing every night & day, 40-50 degrees.  

     Today, we were in the Cowley 1st ward & in the Lovell 5th! Spoke in each of them in Sacrament mtg. Dad was also able visit with the High Priest group leaders in these two wards during SS time.  It is always so nice to be in our local wards.  It has also been nice to have a quiet evening here at home.   We have enjoyed talking to several of you this evening!

 

     Saturday we were in Billings, went up to check on internet in two of the buildings up there in preparation for training missionaries on the 28 of Feb.  It was also the day that Jerry & Jodee Sessions were receiving their endowments & being sealed.  Jerry is Dad's 1st cousin, his father Howard is a brother to Grandma Croft!  Also saw Will & Kesha Croft, his mom, Jennifer & her mother Iris Bassett. We had a great visit with them. He is in the Branch Presidency in Hardin, Montana.

      It has been a busy week with 4-5 Skype trainings to HP group leaders, TFH (Temple & Family History) Consultants, & others. We also did a webEx training on Wednesday with SLC sharing with them the ability to use the Apps & had some excited students.   Then again on Thursday Evening we received training from our TFH manager. This went out to other Area people in the North America Central Area which includes abt 25 couples. there were several new things that have been introduced since the Roots Tech Conference last week.   We are still trying to digest info from that.

     We did take time to go fishing at Deaver Res, no catching tho haven't figured out why its so slow there this winter!  Also went Visiting Teaching, Dolores & I have several new sisters to visit!  The refrigerator is now repaired, that is a relief.  Dad has been doing a little pruning in the orchard - an we also have plenty of water & some mud around!

     All our babies are doing great! 

     We send our love to all - Hope your Valentines Day was special!   CTR

Mom and Dad

RootTech in SLC this week

February 12, 2012
Dearest Family,

     Happy 38th Anniversary to Aunt Gaye & Uncle Frank on Wednesday, February 15th & Happy Birthday to Ken on Thursday, February 16!!!!  Hope all of you have a wonderful day!

    It has been a wonderful weekend!  RootsTech is going in SLC this week so we viewed some of this on the web and will do the other by video. This is where all the new things are announced for the coming year. We now have a new official title "Area Temple and Family History Consultants". Our assignment remains the same.

     Friday noon we left for Bozeman, Montana. Weather was wonderful going & coming home today!  Spent the weekend there, staying with the Stake President & his family!  Friday evening we were able to do Family History with his wife & children. Saturday a.m. we were able to work with him. We had climbed around in his tree & the hints helped him add a generation, finding names for the parents of one of his ancestors, even several maiden names for the women. He was able to print out several temple cards. He now knows of the joy of this work & later in the evening at the Saturday night meeting of Stake conference, shared this spiritual experience.   We enjoyed dinner with the Stake leadership that evening & then at 6 p.m. took part in the adult meeting.  We were so blessed to be able to share this work with the 300+ members, giving a presentation for 45 minutes.  We had some very special visits with brothers & sisters after the meeting. Today before & after the General Session of their Stake conference we visited with more having questions! Now tonight we are returning phone calls, etc.  We are also excited to have been invited by the Mission President to train missionaries at their Zone conferences, we will do this on-site and over Skype!

We have had an enjoyable week - even taking a morning to do a little fishing at Deaver 

Res, no catching tho!!!! Enjoyed sharing this work with several in their homes! This week 

has been the warmest all winter with sun, wind and  over 32' temps even close to 50 a 

couple days. This has really melted the snow in fact some areas are dealing with flooding.

    We are so thankful all our little ones are doing so good.  Have attached new pictures of the.   Cozy really growing no, almost 4 pounds. As you can see, Paisley & Brindle are growing also!

Love you all Mom and Dad

What a beautiful day!!!! sun shiny & warm!!!!!

Dearest Family

     What a beautiful day!!!! sun shiny & warm!!!!!    The temperature reached 50 degrees today - boy are we seeing the snow melt!  The 15 mph wind is just evaporating it all away!  We have had a week of fine snow falling for three days & temps below 25 degrees so this was really a change!

     Had a nice day attending church in the Cowley 1st Ward.  This afternoon we did a training session via Skype with a new High Priest Leader in Powell. Very enjoyable! 

      We had quite an experience with the Peters' this week - He had a gggrandfather who after the death of his first wife at age 50+ married a much younger wife, age 22.   Then he died after the birth of their 5th child.  She then married her step son, his son, who was just 6 years younger than her. They then had 2 more children. Indexed marriage records were the thing which helped us find the answers.    Indexing is such an amazing thing, so fascinating & helps us learn about our families. Oh, my, what interesting webs we weave in this life!  So thankful for the inspiration to find & learn of the interesting lives of these people.It has been a special week, Skyping with several, phone training sessions & working with people here. 

      Enjoyed fishing over at Deaver on Monday, no fish but beautiful sunshine! The ice was still 18" due to the snow cover.   One morning there were 6 head of white tail bucks here in the sagebrush field east of the house - our breakfast entertainment!   Enjoyed one  of Talon's basketball games.   Watched several others on TV plus a BYU men's volleyball & Basketball game.  Attended Neil Hopkin funeral on Sat morning, a large crowd and wonderful service. They used are horse drawn wagon to take his casket to the Lovell cemetery.

 

       Brindle & Paisley are growing!   Cozy is growing also, but has good days & not so good days!   We just always pray for more good days. The weather forecast is showing 40's for next weekend when we will be in Bozeman for stake conference. Our prayers are being answered! We will be staying with the stake president's family. 

Our Love to all of you! Mom & Dad