nick and deb

Wow. It's been CRAZY over here in Logan! 

Biggest news for us is that Claire was referred to the ENT for her 5th ear infection in 4 months. The doc said that because of her history with JRA, that STREP infections usually are the catalyst to the disease lapsing out of remission. He recommended that we have ear tubes put in, tonsils and adenoids taken out. Scheduled for May 3rd. 

Matthew's health update is that his labs showed that he isn't allergic to any commonly found allergens (peanuts, pollen, mold, etc), his white blood count is normal, but his breathing drops in to the 80's when he slept with the oxometer (measures the level of oxygen in the blood). It is obvious he has sleep apnia, but how and why in a 1 year old? Unknown. We were referred to the Pediatric ENT at Primary Children's Hospital in SLC. Ironically, he drew the conclussion that he also needs his ear tubes replaced (the first have been clogged he suspects since October), adenoids and tonsils out with a scope down his larynx while he's already under just to make sure he didn't miss anything. Scheduled for May 7th. This in kiddos so young mean overnight stays to make sure there aren't any bleeding problems or other issues.

So, I finally got on the bandwagon that this all (my kiddos medical junk) might have an environmental problem, so we checked for radon...It's significantly higher than it should be. It gets worse at night (normal house level is 1.3. Scary levels that recommend immediate renovations to fix them are at 4. We are at a 3.6 in the basement). I don't know if this has been the problem all along, but we're still looking. Gotta keep these kiddos healthy! 

Claire is crazy funny. Wow, they say the Terrible 2's are hard, but I think it's the 3's! She's almost done. things have been so much better. I have been more patient and it makes all the difference. Wow. Matthew is Hilarious. We went to Bear Lake on a drive yesterday and Claire was able to put her feet in HER lake (we call her Bear). So, Nick found Chunky Monkey's fun location in Park City. We want to go visit one day. We love our monsters! 

Hope you are all well. 

-nick, deb, claire and matthew

adam and becky

The Frus family says hello from New Mexico!

We are getting to know this country a bit better this semester as we have been out camping and hiking several times over the last couple of weeks, and have two more trips planned for this week alone!  Having these outdoor adventures continues to remind us why we are here and what we are working towards.  What a great blessing it is to be able to say that the natural world is my office and man do I LOVE work!!!  AND SO DOES MY HUSBAND!

We had a scare several weeks ago with EJ being sick for several days, with one visit to the ER.  WOW that was scary.  We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.  Thankfully we are all at 100% and we do not expect any long term issues. EJ loves to go outside and starts pointing at the doors and windows as soon as she is awake (either that or the TV)...She seems to be in a growing phase with clothes and shoes becoming too small.

Adam and I are both crazy busy!  Adam has been creating a fantastic new series that is just amazing.  Everyone who meets him talks to him about these pieces.  He is awesome and we are excited by the project.  I am coming up to the end of my second semester.  The department officially accepted my two proposals and I am moving forward with a summer in the field.  I will be installing a few wells and some flumes.  If anyone is thinking of taking a camping trip, you might want to think about the Zuni Mountains.  We could talk about the schedule.

Anyway, love to everyone and we miss you and think of each of you often

becky, adam and elizabeth

tim and jill

Hello from across the many miles…

The Mathews’ in Rhode Island are doing well.  It looks like we could potentially be Rhode Islanders for a little while longer.  This week is a BIG WEEK for Tim as the Residential Program Director job is getting posted and Tim is going to apply.  I am so excited for Tim because I think he will do a phenomenal job with this position and the site here would be silly not to promote him.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks as he journeys to the next step (we hope).

Elle was out of school this past school for Spring Break.  We planned LOTS of fun activities for both Elle and Liam.  We had beautiful weather and even were able to go to the zoo one day and the beach another.  Elle got in the cold, freezing water like it was nothing.

Elle and Liam have become quite the playmates.  Tim and I went searching for them this evening to get them ready for bed and neither of us could find them.  We knew there was no way if they were hiding, Liam could stay quiet for that long.  I finally just kept calling Liam’s name and I heard a little peep…they both were hiding in my closet behind all my clothes.  I asked Elle how Liam stayed so quiet for so long, she said she put her hand over his mouth but not his nose, so he could still breathe.  OMG… good grief!  Tim and I were cracking up.

Well we hope you all have a great week.  We miss you and love you LOTS!  I wish we all lived closer so we could all have fun and play more!  Elle and Liam send HUGS and Kisses to you all!

Love,

Tim, Jill, Elle, and Liam XO

bill and rosi

Hello Family,

I have not been able to write the last two Sundays as I have been out of town.  I have missed touching base with you.  I have decided that these messages need to be considered “The Small Plates of Rosi”.  As in Nephi’s case, I will try to make them short and succinct.  However, I will try to include more fun.

Dad and I had a good day yesterday.  We worked together on small projects inside and out.  It felt good to be a team again.  The results include:  clean kitty items and garbage cans; fixed small appliances, a food storage effort, and more.  The end of the day was watching the Jazz play for a playoff berth against the Orlando Magic.  Here’s the scenario:  Dad and Grandma Rosi are watching the game downstairs.  It is the 3^rd quarter and the Magic are hitting a barrage of 3 pointers.  Big Bill is frustrated and he leaves.  Rosi watches…  Finally, she goes upstairs and continues watching in her bedroom while she gets ready for bed.  The game goes into overtime.  Rosi stands in front of the TV and starts yelling (literally) at her team to make shots, etc.  (She knew she could help if she just yelled loudly enough).  Jazz team wins by 10 in a single overtime.  Rosi’s efforts paid off.  Hurray!!   Rosi wakes up Big Bill to give him the news.  Big Bill smiles.

Dad and I also made oatmeal cookies together.   Now these are the real deal and boy are they good…   regular oats, raisins, almonds.   Mmmmmm   Then we EAT them.  Lots of them.    MMMMM  Cookie Monster. 

I took a wonderful walk this morning.  The sun kissed my face, the birds sang and I could smell the blossoms of the Aristrocrat Pear trees that are plentiful in our neighborhood.  We live in such a beautiful world.  As I walked I reflected on the chapter from the Book of Mormon that I had read last night during the commercials of the Jazz game.  I envisioned Helaman speaking to his 2,000 sons, asking them if in their exhausted state they should turn and fight the Lamanite army or if they should flee.  I picked a spot in a field that I was walking past and could just see that beat up group of young men huddling up around their leader, Helaman.  They replied that their moms had taught them that if they would not “doubt” they would be successful.  They went to battle and fought a great fight believing that they could win.   What a great example of faith!! 

Thanks so much for the birthday greetings!   Loved the card from Elle.  Very pretty, Sweetheart!  Wish I could share with you the card from Marlies.  It is an over the hill opera singer who actually sings the Happy Birthday song when you open it up.  Thanks for the beautiful scarves, Deb and Claire.  I have worn them this past week and loved them.  It is hard to accept being 66 years old…hard for my body as well as my mind.

School is going well.  I am in the midst of auditions for next year’s choirs.  I think that the Holy Ghost is supporting me.  It is such a busy time of year with multiple festivals and competitions.  Tour was amazing.  San Diego (it rained a lot while we were there.)  We went to Sea World.  (Nice, but it wasn’t half as much fun as when Dad and I went with Ben’s family to San Antonio’s Sea World.  No Big Bill in his motorized cart, no Kloey, Kael and Gali to share time with.)  So great to see Marlies for a few minutes in Las Vegas.  Thank you, Mar, for loving and caring.  Our most memorable day on tour was Sunday.  We sang in 4 locations and touched the hearts of many people…lots of tears by both the audience and the singers.  Our first stop that day was at The First Presbyterian Church of San Diego.   It is a 100 year old building, large and impressive.  The Pastor gave such a long sermon that we were late getting to our next  performance… BUT it was amazing.

Well, this is not as short as I had hoped and I still have more to say.  That’s okay.  Another day.

Dad and I love you so much.  You are in our hearts and minds everyday.

Hello to our new baby Kole Gideon!!!!    Would love to see you.  We could bring cute Parker so that you could meet each other.  Happy Birthday tomorrow, Kael.

Mom

tim and jill

Hello family...

Wow…we are already into April!  “April” has historically been a really been a tough month for our little family.   It seems all the unfortunate events Tim and I have experienced together have seemed to occur in April…so to change that gloomy perspective,  Tim and I are CELEBRATING lots this month…any little miracle or event we can acknowledge we are making a BIG DEAL out of it.  April is going to be GREAT!  After all…Tim’s birthday is at the end of April!  This year…Tim is going to have a Fantastic Birthday! 

To share a few of our happy moments so far this month… we both were pulled over at different times within the past week for speeding…hahaha…  we both managed to get out of our speeding tickets…hooray!!!

Last night, Tim decided to update Windows on our computer and it somehow erased everything on our computer including internet explorer…I missed work due to the internet explorer issue and although it affected my work performance for missing work, I managed to still receive the same call volume as normal…hooray again!!!

We recently turned our sun porch into a play house for the kids so we all of sudden have more living space.  Whoohoo…

The weather is getting very spring like and we are taking advantage of it by taking family walks in the evening together.  Tim, Elle, and Liam love racing each other at the end of our road on someone’s property…it’s a thrill wondering if we are going to get yelled at for being on their property.  

Elle and I have decided to be running buddies… Elle goes on my short runs with me and holds my hand and says,”Mom…we got this!” as we run up all the hills to get back home.  If it weren’t for her encouragement…I would need to call Tim for a ride home…haha. 

Tim is anxiously awaiting a possible promotion at work…there have been lots hints that Tim will get this job.  That will be AWESOME!!!  If it doesn’t happen, we know a better opportunity for Tim and us is just around the corner.

Tim and I were able to go on our 4th date since we’ve lived in Rhode Island. We found an AWESOME babysitter and the kids love her.  She got the kids to bed with no problems…YAY…there is hope for more date nights.   

Elle is truly an AMAZING girl with a special heart of courage!  We are celebrating Elle’s progress BIG TIME this month.  It’s been a year since “the situation” and Elle is doing so much better.  THANK  GOODNESS!!!  Elle’s therapist is so impressed by her resiliency, we only have to go monthly for check in’s now.   In honor of Elle’s resiliency and for all the other at risk children out there, I have decided to run in the Amica Marathon in October for a cause.  Tim is collaborating with development at Boys Town to help raise money in support of Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, all the money raised is going to Boys Town New England.  If you or anyone wants to donate to the cause, please let me know. 

We are joyful for all these moments and Tim and I are both happy to smile and count our blessings this month.

We love you guys and are working hard to hopefully see you soon!!!

Tim, Jill, Elle and Liam

XOXO

becky and adam

We are excited to hear some news about happenings in Texas!

Things in New Mexico are in a flurry.  While there are always deadlines in this PhD program, I was able to get a big one hurtle finished over the weekend.  I had been working on my research proposal summaries for several weeks with a lot of very early mornings and work in several chemistry labs and turned it in on Monday!  Two full projects with with several ideas of how to perform the research.  

Currently these are my two topics 1. Looking at the water chemistry and aquifer recharge of a small stream system that provides the water to the Zuni Pueblo.  (There has been some issues of springs drying in the area from over pumping and the area is suffering). 2. Understanding how children learn science in an outdoor setting. (5th - 7th grade teacher take their students to the Rio Grande to make scientific measurements on the ecosystem condition).

So with that said, it will probably all change in time too...ha ha aaaahhhh.

Adam is also working towards several goals right now and is always on the go.  He has several shows coming up in the next months.  It has been fun to get back into the show scene in a new place.  New Mexico is a different state with many differences, but it has been great!  New groups of people are getting introduced to him and his work.  He says hi to everyone!

Elizabeth runs everywhere.  She just makes me laugh as she throws back her shoulders and pumps her arms as she sticks out her butt and runs.  It is too fun.  She has lots of facial expressions and know how to use her voice to let us know what she wants.  She isn't saying much but I feel like she is ready.  We sing together and she likes to applause herself.  Adam does a lot of drawing with her and spending time outside with the rocks and buckets of sand and water.  She is happy and healthy.

We love you all so much

becky

ben and tamme

Things in Texas are wet and green.  We had quite the storm come through today.  There were a few tornado's touch down in the Dallas area and then east of us.  Some places even had baseball sized hail.  We had some hail and lots of rain, but fortunately we were not in the path of any tornado's.   Ben spent the day in Dallas and was coming home just as it was moving into our area.  He stopped to pick the kids up from school early and got to participate in the tornado drill.  

Kloey and Kael have both started softball and baseball.  Kael's first game was suppose to be tonight.  Kloey had a game last night and she did great.  She hit a triple.  I think it was her hardest hit ball to date.  It made it past all the girls and into the outfield.  Then she had another nicely hit ball.  Her defense is getting better.  She played right field and backed up first every time the ball was thrown.  I think it might be clicking for her a little bit.  The game was exciting.  They tied and went to extra innings, but lost in the end.  

Gali is so much fun.  She will just say "hey mom" and I will answer "yes" then she says "I love you."  She does it to Ben also and we both just love it.  She is excited for her birthday in nine days.  But can't seem to understand why Sadee's is before hers.  Sadee loves to watch The Princess and the Frog and we get to watch it almost daily.  

We keep praying that this little boy makes an appearance soon.  Kael prayed for him to be born in April and Kloey prayed for March.  I am praying for any day.  I am anxious and get restless during the day.  We went for a walk before we put the kids to bed and the sun was still setting, it was gorgeous.  It made the colors pop and the green grass was absolutely beautiful.  The kids and Ben played a game to walk on the cracks that run all through the road, as I pushed Sadee in the stroller, hoping for some contractions.  

Hopefully the next email update will include some more exciting news from us here in Texas.

We love you all!

Tamme

nick and deb

We are doing great, too!

Nick---coming up with amazing things at work. I hear his ideas lately and I go...wow! I had no idea I had such a smart guy!

Deb---ALMOST finished with her last week of teaching for the semester! Hooray! It has been a LONG semester. woosh!

Claire---AN AMAZING READER! We were at the store today and she read "germs" on a hand sanitize bottle. I'm sorry but if you look at the word: G- can be pronounced 2 ways, e's can be prounounced 5 or 6 ways and then three consonants in a row! She's amazing. Wow. She also has her 4th ear infection in as many months. The doc today said that it's time for ear tubes. sigh. poor kiddo.

Matthew---poor kid is draining out of his eyes, ears, mouth and nose, lungs all wheezy. I just can't keep him well. We went to the pulminalogist last month and he referred us to a pediatric ENT this month. We hope we can get him all figured out cause wow. I don't know what to do with this kiddo. He's brave, but man! I can't do anything when he's like this. He wants me to hold him all the time.

Love you,

-deb

marlies

Hello my dear family

We are doing great here in Vegas.

Things are moving so quickly – soon it will be August and our cute little teenager will be off onto his college career.  I can’t believe how quickly time flies.  For those of you coming – Roderick’s graduation is on June 18^th.  We have a lot of people coming including Melissa’s family from California.  I have worked through sleeping arrangments with Cristi.  She is excited for the Mathews clan to show up on her door step.  Please let me know if you are planning on coming.  I know Roderick is hoping to see you all (Even though he would never say itJ)  He is really excited about graduating and has worked very hard to get to this point.  Jill and Tim have worked on catching him up since he was 12.  Melissa and I had the easy years – Ok maybe not so easy – but he is really excited.

We have had a great couple of weeks.  Dad was in town for 10 days – we watched the Hunger Games – we ate cheesecake -  Roderick had his knee surgery – my program director Michele Howser worked her last day at Boys Town – and Melissa gets a week off for spring break!  What more could we ask for?

Sorry it is short, but super busy – Love you all

Marlies

bill and rosi

Hello Family,

We hope that you children have had a good week and that today has been a good one for you.  We have been in touch with a few of you and appreciate hearing from you.  

It has been an up and down week for me personally.  Interesting how an almost 66 year old woman cannot maintain a steady emotion pace, questioning her merit and value.   My good friend, Donna, who assists me at the high school, told me a little story about faith.  She said a little bird had the courage and faith to step out on a weak limb of tree. Just as the limb broke the bird took flight.  After battling with crazy, weak thoughts all week I have decided a few things. Most important is that I need to be positive (which is directly tied to faith).  I have not nurtured that enough in my life.  The other thing that I would like to do is LAUGH MORE.  It has never been a habit of mine to laugh.  It will be a real effort for me to change long based habits.  Wish me luck.

Nick and Deb came down this weekend and installed our new washer and dryer.  Getting the appliances here was yet another story.  Bill made two trips to Logan and brought one appliance down in each trip.  Now we have a wonderful new clothes washer and dryer.  Our's were over 22 years old.  They needed a rest.  Deb was also able to pass the old appliances on to people who needed them.  It worked out well.  Thanks, Nick and Deb, for helping us out and spending some time with us.  We all went to Luke's house today for a yummy turkey dinner.  mmmmmmm  Parker is growing, growing.  She smiles and coos at her Momma.

Yesterday Deb, Amy and I went to Laurel Bulloch's bridal shower.  She is marrying Joan Nielsen's (she lived on GrandView Hill) grandson, Jordan Johnson from Las Vegas.  Ben, you might remember that Joan is Ben Nielsen's mom.  We had a very nice visit.  She was there with her blonde daughters and their blonde daughters.  It was certainly a blonde night.  The shower was at Linc and Jenn Clifford's new home.  Wow, what a spread.  I had a nice visit with Susanne, Rhonda, Mandy and Lindsay. 

I told you all that Dixie was not feeling well.  On her 3rd doctor visit they discovered that she had shingles.  She told me I should get a chicken pox immunization as that prevents shingles.  So when I went to the doc this week for a routine visit I came away with a chicken pox immunization in one arm and a pneumonia shot in the other.  That night I rolled over in bed on to the "pneumonia arm" and it killed me.  It felt like I had a large brick in between my bone and my skin.  Look out for the Pneumonia Shots, people, they HURT.

In the last two hours, Dad was not able to find our remote for the downstairs TV.  He and I went through the sofas, pulled up pillow, turned over sofas, checked in all the rooms downstairs, tried to reach Nick and Deb to see if they knew where it was.  When we finally got in contact with them, they had no idea, so Big Bill and I started the search again.  Before checking garbage cans and going through the toys again, we decided to once again tip over the sofas.  Last sofa, heard noise--like something falling and Big Bill got his hound dog noise out.  He had to rip off the velcro backing on the sofas and dig not just between or under but actually right inside the chair.  HE FOUND IT!!  We were really lucky as it could easily have never been found.  Hurray, Big Bill.

Well, nothing has changed.  We still love everyone of you with all of our hearts.

Have a great week and please give our grandbabies an hello and a hug for us.   Tamme, we will all be praying for you that this ordeal will soon be over and little "Sue" will be in your arms.  Marlies, remind us of when Roderick's graduation is, please.

Mommacita Rosi