Hoco,1st Knee Surgery, & Tiger!

So many blessings we're enjoying from Stephen's mission service... we miss him but wow his letters and pictures are incredible!  We got to chat with him in the hospital the day of my 1st knee replacement surgery - Sterl said his Spanish was so good! My surgery was a success ~ he said I was the youngest with the worst arthritis he had ever seen! Just wear and tear from dancing/aerobics and genetics.  Here's the thank you note I sent Brent, the man who gave me a blessing prior to surgery. 

I wanted to give you my thanks for being an instrument in the Lords hands. Daron and I were so moved by the beautiful blessing you gave me when I became a seminary teacher. You were so specific in relating Gods message that I would heal so much more quickly from my knee replacement because I accepted the calling. I had no idea what a difference that would make in my life. I am now over a month post surgery, and my recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. When I walked in for my 2 week check up with my doctor, without a cane or walker, he and his staff stood in the office and just stared at me and said how are you doing that? I just said, well I have been doing all the PT the nurses have given me. He said Melanie, people are not at that level of healing until 2 to 3 months, not two weeks. They were all shocked.  I have been so very grateful to Heavenly  Father and especially to you for the pronouncing that blessing and listening to His voice. I was able to return to Seminary before four weeks even passed, which brought me so much joy because I love this calling, and my doctor agreed to schedule my 2nd knee replacement in just a few weeks because I have healed so well from the first one. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and all of your selfless service. God bless you.

  

 

 

Beautiful Kassie and Tyler at Homecoming! She's such a ball of fun! Post party afterwards!

 

 

 

Love going to the temple with the kids; watching Gen Conference w/ Mom, shorthand demo!

So cool watching Mom write it!  https://youtu.be/ovTZVgSV9MM

Selling Bree, getting cute Goldendoodle Tiger! Named after Stephen's Savior Dog in Reu!

 

Love Seminary so much!

 

Stephen's doing so great -- we TREASURE the privilege to talk with him every week!! Such a good, smiley boy, so happy and so blessed with a great attitude, regardless of the CRAZY circumstances he's in!! Lots of wild animals, gunshots, and parasites but he got to go to an amusement park!!

Scouting is almost over... we all love putting out the flags on a freezing day!! Esp. crazy Kas...