Blessings!

I probably shared this story before but I'm needing to write it again today...it's theraputic...and beware...very girly personal. I'm just remembering today all of the blessings that have been ours. 4 years ago, I carried our 4th child in my now saggy, stretched out belly anxious about the outcome of surgery that was soon to begin.

I had been on bed rest most of the pregnancy. I had been diagnosed with placenta percreta. The placenta had grown through the uterine wall and into my bladder which at the time was not known. I missed another brother's wedding. My doctor, trying to talk me out of leaving town put it this way; "You'll go into labor, or start bleeding and they'll take you to a hospital, take the baby out and then leave you open. They'll put bags of ice on/in you and airlift you to a hospital that can handle this kind of trauma." That scared me enough to not go. I had to stay within 20 minutes of a major hospital because women with this condition will bleed to death without proper care.

Hysterectomy was not optional. I prayed sometimes that I would be ok...to be here to raise my children. I didn't pray too hard because deep down I knew that I would be just fine. Heavenly Father is smart...he would never leave THESE children in Mike's hands. They need me.

The baby grew well and was strong and I had no bleeding. They took him at 37 weeks before we got ourselves into an emergency situation. It was really neat to watch my doctor meditate and (I believe) pray while standing by my side before beginning. The drugs did not work on me as usual and surgery was H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E!!!!! I had chosen to stay awake so that I could see my baby and then they didn't even show him to me. Baby born, hysterectomy, then bladder repair. Hours of absolute torture!

Anyway, a night in ICU, 8 units of blood, a catheter for 2 weeks, a stomach/bladder drainage tube for 1 week. I finally met my little Isaac the following day...who had been born big and didn't need any help breathing (which was another worry, taking him early). Things could have been so much worse...I know a couple of people that had this after me and have not had things go so smoothly.

I'm so grateful for my children and the trust Heavenly Father has in me.
And now, today my baby is 4. Time is going way too fast! What a blessing he has been to our family. Happy Birthday Isaac!

Nauvoo

My sister Emily and I put together the first Thorpe Family Reunion. We have some great delegating "skeels" so really it was everyone else that put it together and we just showed up. No! We did actually a lot of work but it was SO much fun. Nauvoo was chosen because me and my family always end up going to Colorado to see family and get to visit nowhere else. Also, we have a great pioneer heritage and wanted to learn more.

Sisters Stephanie and Jeni spent hours and hours and hours and hours and hours, reasearching and putting together information to share with us. It was TOTALLY AWESOME! The stories they were able to share were inspirational. I don't want to give too much information because I'm sure my brain will not serve me well and I will be off a little, but, I think there are about 50 pioneer ancestors through my 4 grandparent lines. Great people! People who suffered, but were strong and faithful through it.

Our theme was "Our Trail of Hope". Reminding us that we have a great heritage to follow and that we can have great faith and hope as we face our own challenges as they did while they faced their challenges. I feel we have a duty to get to know these people personally because we are bound eternally to them. It matters. In Elder M. Russell Ballard's words (So much better than my own...)"We must be sure that the legacy of faith received from them is never lost. Let their heroic lives touch our hearts so the fire of true testimony and unwavering love for the Lord and His Church will blaze brightly within each one of us as it did in our faithful pioneers."

That is my goal. We are trying and I feel we are doing pretty well, but can always do better!

As far as the actual trip goes, we drove down on my birthday. I think it was about 13hours. The reunion was Wednesday - Friday. We were thrilled that Sister Kaye Hanson and my Dad's sisters and families could make it. It was so fun to see them. As always, the time went WAY TOO FAST and I didn't get to chat as much as I wanted to. But, so glad they came! We were sad at the same time to be missing 3 brothers and their families. I think we had 54 people...at least that's what we planned for.








The pageant was wonderful, except for the guy having a heart attack right in the middle of it and having to stop the show for an ambulance. I hope he is ok. Also, looking for lost children. (They were found.)


The Sunset on the Mississippi was also very fun.

We talked to Matthew and told him maybe he could do a mission like that. He proceeded to get up on stage and do the cutest dance. Unfortunately, I still can't get video to upload on this blog.

More swimming, of course.

And...more food and more birthdays to celebrate!




Looking forward to the next reunion in a couple of years!

We had a lot of fun traveling to Colorodo and then to Nauvoo. Two family reunions, back to back. The first was the Arthurs. Such a great bunch of people! We really enjoyed our time with them.

Our drive down.

Matthew feels SO much better with oxygen in the higher altitude. He sleeps with it at night.


We did a ladder ball tournament.



The kids did a Wii bowling tournament.

There were trophies for all the kids. Isaac didn't even play in the wii tournament but got a trophy and he was SOOOO excited. He was jumping up and down, "I got 4th place!" Cutest thing ever! He loves his trophy.


The 3 families battled against each other in a SPAM cookoff.

This was serious business.

REALLY SERIOUS BUSINESS!

These were the judges.


Swimming!



Shooting is always a favorite of the boys.





I must admit...I enjoy it as well.


Lots of eating, and chatting - catching up with everyone.



Lots of cake! Celebrating birthdays and the Anniversary of the couple that started it all...Grandma and Grandpa Arthur.


Isaac and his little second cousin friend were SOOO cute. He misses playing with all his cousins.




And last but not least...Fireworks!



EXHAUSTING!!!

Everyone stayed healthy...oh yeah...except I got shingles! That was a fun drive.
Thank you other Zenns for hosting...you did a great job!