Anyone Else??

A couple of weeks ago, Porter had bacterial pneumonia.

Approximately not long after, Gigi got sick.

Last Friday night, I started to feel real sick.

I'm a strep carrier, and I was positive I had strep.

I went on antibiotics immediately.

Tuesday, I felt WAY worse.

Like, bad.

Yesterday at work, I wanted to just kill over.

Today I am at work with zero makeup on, in my pajamas (literally), coughing up a dang lung with the biggest headache.

PS, I am not a good sick patient.

I'm a sassy, brassy baby.

Sorry, Burke.

He's the real MVP.

Anywho, you better believe I'm still getting on that Delta airplane tomorrow morning to go to St. Louis for a weekend of Dodgers vs. Cardinals baseball.

 

Small Things

Burke sent me a picture of a handwritten note from a client.

He had told me about this gentleman the night before.

He's an elderly gentleman who is very organized, independent, and proactive.

Burke really enjoyed his conversation and his feisty personality.

Burke is so good with literally anyone and everyone.

When I saw that this man took time to write him a note and deliver it to him at the dealership, I was full of gratitude.

It meant a lot to Burke.

My new(ish) boss bought me a gift for Administrative Professionals Day.

It reminded me of my Becky Beck.

I'm somewhat obsessed with it.

If you don't know my Becky Beck and her "Drop the Cactus" life coach series... look into it!!

 

Tyler Graduates Police Academy

Tyler graduated from the UVU Police Academy on Friday evening.

He was a great ceremony.

Several graduating cadets were in attendance.

Aria and Hendrix were especially proud of their daddy.

 

Dad Smith's Funeral

Dad Smith's viewing and graveside service was on Saturday.

Take a minute and look at those flowers!

They were so gorgeous. Bright and tropical just like I like them!!

He looked peaceful, which is all you can ever hope for when seeing a loved one in a casket.

Sweet Burke.

I love this man.

He, and his siblings, were amazing.

Burke is going through the whole phone book worth of emotions.

Burke & his siblings with his stepmom, Shawn.

Obviously missing Justin, who passed away last year.

Cooper, Porter, Suzanne, Bubba, Burke & I, Aria & Hendrix, Rian, and Ryker.

The surviving brothers and the oldest boy of each surviving brother were the pallbearers.

It was a beautiful day to lay his body to rest.

 

Nailed It

Burke and I went yesterday to see the girls... and Michael.

We both got pedicures.

Burke got a manicure and I got my nails redone.

They are all prepped and ready to shine like a bunch of diamonds for our trip to St. Louis next weekend!
My Tina NAILED it!

Also, I just looked at the weather forecast for next weekend.

 I should not have done that.

I am crossing my finger, toes, and eyes that the weather forecast will change!

 

Obituary

I am grateful that Burke, and his brothers, were able to meet with other family members yesterday to prepare the obituary for his dad.

We will lay his body to rest on Saturday.

Obituary

See You Later

This picture was sent to us of Burke's dad yesterday morning.

I was so happy to see this picture.

He looked so coherent, even happy!

The hospice nurses had just bathed him and he looked comfortable.

Dad passed away this morning at 12:45.

We pray he was at peace and comfortable.

I'm grateful that Burke was able to see him and talk to him a few times over the last month.

As were his brothers.

Death is a strange thing.

We all know it's coming.

It happens to every single one of us.

Yet, it still stops us in our tracks.

It's a bit startling, even when we know it's coming.

We'll see you later, Dad.

 

Sunset Babies

Rian sent these picture to Papa and I last night.

Aria Jane is getting way too big.

She looks so grown up!

Little Hendrix continues to be the funnest little ham ball!!!

I am grateful for sunsets.

I am SO grateful for these two babes.

Gigi loves these little nuggets so big!

 

PRT

Burke and I were at Dr. Kris's office Thursday.

Burke needed to grab his new GLP med and Dr. Kris did a little PRT on him.

PRT, or platelet recovery transfer, or something like that...

He drew blood from Burke.

He put it in a very fancy maching.

The platelets separated from the rest of the blood.

With ultrasound, Dr. Kris guided a VERY large needle into both shoulders and injected the platelets into his joints.

This is a very safe method for pain relief.

So far, he is feeling relief!!!!

PS

I sat in a very fancy massage chair while watching Burke have this done.

So, I basically had PRT, too: primo relief therapy!

 

Dad Stephen

Burke's dad is on hospice.

Burke's parents divorced when he was young.

When they divorced, two of the boys moved in with his dad and two of the boys moved in with his mom.

Burke split his time between both.

Burke's sweet mom passed away a few years ago.

We remain close with his stepdad, Dave.

I first met his dad, Stephen, last year when he was in the hospital with an infection.

His health has continued to decline and he is now home, on hospice.

We've spent time at his bedside the last two Thursdays.

Yesterday, he was much more restful and peaceful.

The agony of his pain seems to be much more under control than it has been.

We were both grateful for that.

We were able to hold his hand and tell him to rest.

Although he wasn't fully coherent, we know that he knew we were there.

That's what matters.

 

Party

This is the official invitation for our April "Family Dinner."

I wanted to make it LOOK so fun.

Like, who wouldn't want to come when you see this invitation?!?!

It's actually not a "party."

It's a "fix all issues with the pool from last year, reset concrete pads, make sure the frame is in place correctly, fill the pool up party."

But, we sure will feed the helpers party-goers pizza with endless soda!!

 

Cooking Coffee

When Hudson was an infant, we'd have him overnight sometimes.

Papa would take him out of his crib and out to the kitchen so Gigi could get some sleep.

He would put him in the front carrier or the bouncy chair and "they'd" make coffee.

When both Braxton and Mia were working overnights/early mornings, we'd have Hudson dropped off at around 5 AM.

Papa would get up and "they'd" make coffee together and watch Bluey or Mickey Mouse or football.

Somehow, some way, Hudson has very vivid memories of making coffee with Papa.

He ALWAYS asks Papa if they can "cook" coffee.

It's always long after Burke is done with his coffee for the day.

We had him Sunday morning.

Hudson FINALLY got to "cook coffee" with Papa!

It made his dang morning!

They even frothed the milk!

He is getting wayyyyyy tooooooo big.

So fun.

So cute.

So smart.

So funny.

SO polite.

 

Run & Prom

Saturday was a BUSY day for Cooper.

He and I left home at 7 am to drive to Logan for a track meet.

He could have taken the bus, driven himself, driven up with friends...

But, alas he wanted me to take him.

It was a beautiful morning when we arrived.

We were early, but then the FIRST lightening delay came into play before the track meet even started.

He just slept in the car next to me.

It was clear that I was going to miss his ONE race because of the delay.

I had to pick up his corsage for prom by a certain time.

When the delay ended, he went and joined his team.

I drove back home to get the corsage.

As I drove home, after not even being able to see him run, I was grateful that this big 17 year old still wants time with me.

My big boys were just like this.

It goes by way too fast!

I got to the floral shop in time.

His prom stuff was laid out for him.

There were three more lightening delays.

Finally, their coach called it a day and told everyone to head home and enjoy prom!

I can't believe how fast they grow up.

I felt like this with my big boys, yet it still surprises me watching Coop and Ryk.

This is such a good group of kids.

They are a friend group.

No one is dating anyone... they are just all good friends and hang out all the time.

Kenley even has a boyfriend, but he was so cool with Coop taking her to prom.

The girls all go to a different high school than the boys.

They never even made it to the dance... they were too late after dinner and pictures.

But no one cared.

They had a great time!

 

Trippin'

Papa & Gigi are heading to St. Louis on May 1st.

The Dodgers will be in town for the weekend to play the Cardinals.

EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!

One of the guys that Burke works with has tickets behind home plate for the St. Louis games.

Burke's team is the Cardinals!

We were invited to go watch and I cannnnnnnot wait!

I grabbed me a Dodgers shirt (showing off the 9X world champions fact)!

Burke got each of us a cup to take.

His is Cardinals; mine is Dodgers.

We are going Sunday (day game!!!!).

We are also going to go Friday (night game).

I'm quite excited.

 

Gigi Update

I crack up at this picture.

I walked into one of the offices and all the guys said, "Ohhhhh, Sis is a librarian today!"

So I took my serious librarian self to the bathroom and took a selfie!

I am feeling really pretty good!

I am still on all the things:

Estrogen patches

Progesterone capsules

Estrogen/Testosterone cream

Vitamin B shots (once a week)

Tirzepatide shots (once a week - micro dose)

Magnesium gummies

Vitamin K & D3, Fish Oil, DHEA, CoQ10

Collagen peptide packet & Electrolyte packet

I have lost 19 pounds (trying to just maintain now... no more losing)

I am sleeping better.

My skin is looking so much better.

My gut is so much happier.

It's all positive!

 

Grab a Mitt

When I got home from work last night, Ryker was waiting for me.

With his baseball mitt and ball in hand.

Wanting to practice his pitches.

Right then and there.

“Grab me Dad’s mitt, bud.”

And then we baseballed in the front yard for an hour.

And I was reminded, again, how blessed I am.

 

Weekend

Cooper is keeping his parents very busy.

It's prom week.

He asked to take Shadow for prom.

Remember, Shadow is the new vehicle I drive.

He wanted to clean Shadow on Saturday while he was at work so he'd be extra handsome for the ride.

I sat and stared at this guy while he cleaned it.

Burke and I went on a date to the Roadhouse that night.

Cooper met us at the mall after to get him a suit, shoes, shirt and tie.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I told him he will need to find places and times to wear said suit more than just prom!!

I do love this boy.

We had family dinner last Sunday.

I like to try to keep our adult children calm on holidays.

I don't ever want them to feel like they need to make it to our house on holidays.

Jackson sent us this beauty.

Look at these three princesses!!!!!

Burke and Porter cleaned out the rain gutters on Sunday.

I was FaceTiming with Hudson at the time.

He was VERY concerned that Papa was so high!!

Back to Cooper...

He zonked out on the couch next to me for hours.

Coopering is exhausting!