Marching Forward 2011

Cameron has given a great gift. A good friend close to her age was in desperate need of a kidney and none of her family members was a match. Cameron was a match and she determined she was the one to give the gift. The surgery is a major surgery. It appears all prayers were answered with the best of outcomes. Both Cameron and the recipient have come through beautifully. I am so grateful for Cameron's ever supportive husband Collins and for his mother Shelia who is there to care for the children while their mother is in the hospital and recovering. It is difficult to not be where I really want to be. Cameron was thoughtful to call yesterday morning on her way to the hospital and again late last night when she made it out of recovery. It was a comfort to hear her voice.

We are excitedly awaiting our newest little girl. Sara and Jared are such a great parent team. It is a joy to watch their caring and loving nurture of their boys. A girl is really going bring some sparkle to an already delightful family.

Steven had a good visit with Dr. Biddulf and found he needs ACL surgery. This throws a chink into the plans he and Alyssa had to join the USAF this August. With Steven's insurance in Virginia, he and Alyssa will fly "home" as soon as his BYUI trimester ends in April for the surgery and immediate recovery. They will return to Idaho a few days late for the beginning of his last trimester and his continued recovery. With this, Steven will be kept from even applying to the Air Force until at least a full year past the surgery. YOUCH! Life has a way of throwing us some curve balls! It will be exciting to see how the Lord leads them along.

Claigh took Friday off to help me get to an appointment to have my hair cut. With the hair loss and the lack of health, I have felt more and more haggard looking. This is not a good thing for the spirit. After all kind of efforts to do something, I have accepted the fact that short for now is best. The girl gave me a very good and simple cut. It is the cut I had my high school senior pictures taken with. How's that for a blast from the past? I also had her do a color treatment (not changing my hair color at all.) It was a clear treatment she felt would strengthen the hair strands and give some shine. It worked! That makes me quite happy.

We also took Alyssa and met up with Ashlee and the kids in Pocatello, a “meet in the middle” place for us. Ashlee has struggled physically with her pregnancy (due in August) and the "Greg and Will “jinks” have added to the difficulties. They are such great boys but ALL BOY. The two of them can really cook up some trouble. With all of the kids home Fridays through Sunday and pretty much in the house the whole time, the weekends can be very long for her. Steve has been good support, getting the kids into work crews in the evenings to set things straight and getting supper on but those days can be very long for a mom with five just the same. Thankfully, Ashlee's stomach is settling and she is starting to feel better now she is entering her fourth month. The warming weather will help also with the children having more outdoor time. While in Pocatello, Claigh took the kids to a play place for about four hours while I got my hair cut and Ashlee, Alyssa & I did the Costco thing and went out for some Mexican lunch. Ashlee left Pocatello pretty exhausted but at least I hope it was a good break for her. AND hopefully the kids got some good energy out.

The Bailey's are our family in the midst of the storm experiencing a bit of calm. (Don't hold your breath! This is life after all!!) It is good to see so many blessings in the midst of a challenging time. I never cease to be amazed at the love of God that surrounds if we have eyes to see and hearts to feel. We are blessed.