Heather and Heath's Journey of Bringing Their Girls Home From Haiti!

If you want to read about Heather's journey of getting her girls home from Haiti you can visit her blog at www.myrainbowfamily.blogspot.com or click on Heather under My Links.
It took almost three years for this long journey to get them home. There's been good times and hard times but it has all been worth it to all of us. She will be writing it as she gets the extra time. She is quite busy as you will see.

North and back!

We went to Show Low Friday after I got off work. We stayed with Eileen and Gerald. She fixed a yummy dinner of pork chops, potatoes, salad, and green beans. Thanks so much Eileen, we really enjoyed it. Saturday, Ron went with Ronnie and Brandon to Ronnie's land to tear down and burn an additon that he had built. Meamwhle, Eileen and I headed to Eager to visit Connie. We played with Sienna and Kaelsy and had lunch. We went for a nice long walk too. The men all came to Eager and we went to dinner. Thanks for the nice day Connie May! We're home now...Ron is watching the Cardinal's game and I've been playing with the family search site. Eileen had gotten on Friday night and had pulled up information of Ron' grandfather. She is our family history gal. She loves it and I know she will be greatly blessed for all the Temple work she has done for our ancestors. We missed having Linda and Mike with us. Hope you're feeling better Linda ! We missed you guys!

Saige turned three on October 5th, 2008

Late post I know but life was a little hectic back then. Better late than ever. Saige turned three on October 5th, 2008. We celebrated her birthday at her Grandma Chris's house that Sunday. It was also General conference so we watched that there. We had crepes (McDonald traditon) that were yummy! After lunch we celebrated Saige's birthday. I gave her a little singing dog that sang "Close To You." She had so much fun opening gifts. We went out side and enjoyed the beautiful weather after she opened her gifts. It was a fun day and Conference was wonderful. Someday I would like to go to the Conference Center and watch it there.

Grace Lydia McDonald's Birth Oct. 6th, 2008

Kisses from Grandma...

So sweet and peaceful!


Welcome home Mommy and Grace!

I didn't get to post about Gracie when she was born because it was kind of hush hush to the public blog world. But now that the girls are finally here I can.
Heather went into labor Oct. 6th (Monday)in the morning. We timed her and got things ready to go to the hospital. We dropped the kids off at her mother-in-laws house after lunch and headed toward the hospital. Heath had anxiously been waiting for us since he came staight from work. She got checked in and was ready to have this little girl. After a hard time of pushing the Dr. decided a C-Section was necessary. Grace was all tangled up in her cord and with every contraction her heart rate would drop really low. They said Heather would be in surgery about an hour. After an hour and a half I started getting a little worried. I walked out in the halls. Finally, the nurses came out. I asked if everything was alright and they said the baby was doing fine. They didn't say anything about Heather. Finally, Heather and Heath came out. Heather had lost a lot of blood and they thought they lost a needle in her. They came in and x-rayed her and there was no needle so they figured that they miscounted. Comforting isn't it? Gracie was actually called McKinley for that day. Then they felt that wasn't her name so they changed it to Grtace Lydia. Grace is Heath's mother's first midde name and then you know about who's is the middle name. We have always loved Gracie for a little girls name. Heather had headaches the whole time she was in the hospital. They sent her home though.
Grace had a bad night Thursday night and we thought she had colic. We took her to the Dr. to get her blood checked for jaundice and the Dr. asked Heather how she was feeling. The Dr. called Heather's OB Dr. and we went to see her. They tested her blood and she was critically low in iron. They put her back into the hospital and gave her a blood patch and a blood transfusion. They had debated rather to do a transfusion after she had the baby and decided not to. Real smart move!! So then they did an MRI to make sure there wasn't any blood clots in her head. We were quite worried because the Pediatrician had called me the night before and said tho make sure they gave her an MRI because she had seen very bad things with new mothers. Also, Heath's dad had a friend at work who's wife died because she ended up with Spinal minigitus and they had sent her home. Luckily, Heather started feeling better and we came home. We don't know what really helped her. I'm sure both the transfusion and blood patch did. Besides all that went on with Heath, Grace had lost a pound since we got her home so we had to supplement her the first night Heather was in the hospital again. I took Grace home that night and fed her every couple of hours. When I took her in the next day she had gained. The kids had made a welcome home sign when Heather frst came home...and were so excited to see their baby sister.

Welcome Roman David Perkins

My nephew Anthon and his wife Ashleigh had their first baby January 6th. He weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. He looks a lot like his daddy I think. What a cute little guy! Or should I say big guy? We are so happy for you!

Dennis Barney

I was so shocked and sad today when I heard that Dennis passed away. All I know is that he was at home at his desk when it happened. My prayers are with Traci and Jason and their sweet family and of course Daren, his sweet mother Ann, and all of their families. It's so hard to lose someone that is respected and loved especially when it is your loved one. Dennis was a truly wonderful man that gave with his whole heart to all around him. He will truly be missed by us, his family and this community. What an example he has set for his posterity and for all who knew him. He difinately followed our Savior's example!

Chrisotpher on his blessing day!

Rigden's Blessing Day

Today Rigden was blessed by his dad. What a special blessing Christopher gave him. Rigden is such a cutie! He grew a lot this past week while I was in Utah. He looks so much like his daddy! I enjoyed holding him for a while during Sacrament. What a sweetie he is! He slept during all of it too.

Gracie's Blessing

We also got to be in Utah for Gracie's blessing on Sunday December 28th. She was blessed over at Heath's parents house. I didn't think I would get to be there for her blessing but we were. She is such a special little angel. I got to take care of her a lot while I was there so Heather could spend time with the new girls and I enjoyed every second of it. I am so blessed to have 14 wonderful grandchildren They are the cutest and I love each of them so much. I will post more pictures later of Christmas and so forth but right now I'm going to go to a movie.

Home from Utah

I just spent the last week at Heather's house getting to know my 3 new granddaughters and spending time with the other kids. It was a lot of fun. I'm so excited the girls finally got to come home. It's been three long years for Heather and Heath but now they are home. This will be a big adjustment as they learn the American ways and customs but it will be worth it. They are safe now and they're in a wonderful home with great parents amd siblings. It's been fun watching all the kids interact with each other. There will be stories to tell. Like the Barbie doll hair cut and a very cold shower! We will look back and crack up over some of them, I'm sure. Heather is a great Mom and Heath is a great dad. They love their children and want the very best for them. Keep them in your prayers as they organize and help their children's transition into their new world. It will be a lot of work but it will be worth it.