Christmas Eve

We were able to have the whole family over to Mom & Dad's for Christmas Eve. We don't get to do that very often, so it was a lot of fun! Dad did pretty good. Mom brought him home on Christmas Eve and kept him through Sunday. He was a trooper - although there were a few times he had little break downs. He would try to do things that he just can't do anymore on his own - and it's scary because he could get hurt. He also seems to be struggling a lot with his memory. We have to repeat ourselves quite a bit. But, overall he did good and we were glad to have him home!
Anyways, we were able to have dinner and exchange gifts. Dad wanted to make sure he got something for all the grand kids (thanks Mom for your help!). He has done this every year, so it was important to him to keep the tradition going.
The kids sure love their grandpa and we are so blessed to have him in our lives!

Birthday Party

Dad was able to come to Myles 1st birthday party last night. He did great. I am so grateful to still have him here to help us celebrate the milestones in our lives. He was also able to go to dinner a few nights ago with some great friends - it was all he could talk about last night. He loved it! He was also able to spend some time with my Aunt Susan. He sure loves his visits and he loves his family! He is still doing great, but I think he is just worn out. He is tired all of the time and looks tired. But, he keeps pushing through.
We love you Dad. And, we love you all. Merry Christmas!!

December Update

Hello Everyone. I am sorry again for the lack of posts. I had another camp this week so it's been a bit busy around our house.
Dad has been struggling a little this month! He is exhausted and worn out. He got a cold (we think from his room being so cold). They had a problem with the heater on his section of the care center for a few weeks. I finally brought him a space heater, and I think that helped. But now the heater is fixed.
He is now done with his physical therapy, which I think he is so happy about! He will move to his new room the beginning of January and I think he is anxiously waiting for that to happen.
When we went yesterday, he just looked so sad and worn out. He had blood all over his shirt (he had a bloody nose yesterday) so I made him change his shirt. My mom got him a new chair, but for some reason he won't use it. He was in the living room when we came instead of his room. He said it was making him nervous to be in his room. I just felt so bad for him yesterday! My mom goes everynight after work and they usually talk or play games. Last night, he was already sleeping - poor guy!

I really hope they don't mind, but I need to give a BIG thank you to my mom's family!! My aunt and her daughter's came down a few weeks ago and did a service project for my family - and it was wonderful and meant the world to my mom. And everyone on my mom's side of the family has been so great to help out this month. I am SO thankful to them for their service and kindness. A special thank you to my Aunt Ann, Kristi and her family. You will never know how much your thoughtfulness has meant to us!

Hope you are all having a great holiday season.

Tuesday Update

It seems every time I go to see Dad, he is having physical therapy. So note to self - don't go in the mornings :).
He is doing well. Doing great on his therapy. They are looking into moving him to a different section here any day now, so that will be great for dad. His memory is still the worse thing right now, and he does seem so depressed lately. I think this is all taking so much out of him.

And, the tooth we got fixed last week broke again! I don't know if I should just wait until January when we go in for the permanent one, or go get a replacement. We will see I guess.

I hope everyone's having a good holiday season.

Christmas Newsletter

I would love to get addresses from all of you for my dad. You can email me at dtjbmiller @yahoo.com.
Thank you!!

Update

So, I certainly have been lacking on posting lately and I apologize. My life is so crazy right now, but I am thankful to you all for your continued support of my dad and that you keep checking back on him.
Yesterday I took Dad to the dentist to get one of his teeth fixed. He was so nervous, but all went well. We have to go back in January so hopefully that trip will go better.
Today Bree, Myles and I took Dad to the Olive Garden (that's his favorite place to go lately). It was fun getting him out. I think all these trips make him so tired. He seemed to be walking a lot slower today. But, he is a trooper - that's for sure.

He is still doing great. I think his memory is still getting a little worse. Today while he was having his physical therapy, I was telling the therapist who Myles was named after (a famous Jazz musician) and my dad said "I like that saxophonist, Kenny G." What?? I told him he must be losing his memory because he shouldn't ever say he likes Kenny G. Good think Dusty wasn't there - he really would've given him a hard time. :)
Anyways, he still has a great sense of humor. Seems to be a good week for dad. Thanks to all of you who have visited him in the last while!

Myles & Bree at Olive Garden

Bree & Grandpa

At the dentist - Before...

After

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am so thankful for each one of you and all the love and support you have shown me and my family. Dad was able to come home for Thanksgiving, and for that I am most grateful!
I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. Much love, Tiffany

Birthday Party!

Dad was able to come to my house tonight for Bree's 5th birthday party. It was so great having him here. He hasn't been over here since July. It seemed to wear him out, but I think he was glad he was here. He had a really hard time getting up the stairs (I have about 5 to get to the main living area). But, he made it!!

He is still doing great. I think it's getting a little harder for him to remember things - he seems to repeat himself a lot. But, I am just so glad he is able to get around and communicate with us!

He was excited yesterday because Jeff & Jenny (my cousin and his wife) came from Cedar City and stopped to see Dad. He kept saying how much he thought their baby looked like Myles.

He sure loves his family and loves seeing them. He talks to my Aunt Susan almost every day, and was upset we weren't going to Leslie's for Thanksgiving. But, he gets SO nervous when he is in the car too long - and that would be a 4 hour drive there and back. So we decided to keep him close to home for Thanksgiving.

Also, my Aunt Ann came down with Michele and her dad on Friday. I think that's what he loves most - seeing people!

Susan reminded me that my dad had some scouts come visit him - and it made his day. They came one day (I'm sure to do service projects) and visited with Dad. And, they must have come back the next day - and Dad just loved that!

Anyways, sorry about the random post. Just trying to catch up... :)

Hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for keeping up on Dad. He sure gets a kick out of knowing there is a blog about him (I think he secretly loves it!).

Monday Update

Dad was in a great mood today - he seems to be doing better. I wanted to take him to lunch, but he had already eaten. The kids were glad to see him. He said he did some great physical therapy this morning. He's had so many people come visit him lately - it's so great. I know he loves that. From what he could remember, Bill and Joanne came yesterday and President Winder today. I know some people from his ward have come as well as BJ from work - he loves that! I am sure so many others have come, but he has such a hard time remembering. I told him I wanted to make a "guest book" so I'd know, but he didn't like that idea :).

Anyways, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers on Dad's behalf. We are all so grateful and blessed.

Where Did I Go???

I need to apologize for the lack of updates the past few weeks! I feel horrible! Dad has been doing great. My mom said he's been a bit sad this weekend, but he still seems to be making a little progress.
The past two weeks I have been in St. George and then Indianapolis for grand nationals (for my work). So, that is where I have been. I certainly need to get better at keeping up on this blog when my life gets crazy :).
Anyways, I will be seeing Dad today for the first time since Thursday when I left, so I'll make sure to post how he's doing. Thanks for checking in!

Halloween Update :)

Wow, it's been a while since I posted last. I keep waiting for my life to catch up with me, but it hasn't yet.

Anyways, Dad has been doing pretty good this week. He has seemed SO tired though. I think all the physical therapy they have him doing wipes him out. But, he is still working on eating and walking, so that is good.

Thursday night I took the kids over for Heritages' Halloween Party. They had a great time. Most of the residents had candy for the kids and there were games set up. I think Dad was glad we were there.

On Friday, we took him to Olive Garden for lunch. He loved the flatbread chicken we ordered, but he said everything else wasn't very good :). I think his taste buds have changed a bit.

Later that afternoon, Lawanna and Curtis came to visit. Dad hasn't seen Curtis in a long while, so I know he was happy to see him. Aunt Susan also came - he sure loves visitors!

Anyways, hope you all had a great Halloween.

Monday Update

Dad has been doing good the past few days - nothing much has changed. Mom took him to my marching band competition on Saturday. I think he enjoyed it, even though he was cold and tired! But, we are doing a WWII show - so I think he liked it!
I saw him Sunday and yesterday. He was doing pretty good. He has had some visitors this past week as well. Newman's came down to see him on Friday and he said he had a great visit with them. Some people from his ward also have come. Thank you so much to all of you for visiting with Dad. He loves it!
He is still working on getting up and walking and on his eating. They seem to be going pretty good. Some days better than others. He is very picky lately on what he eats. I am not sure he likes the food there all too well, so if he knows we are taking him out, he won't eat all day. He says he is "saving up"!
Well, hopefully I'll have more tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

So, I have to make this post super quick - I apologize, but I am falling asleep as I write :).
Anyways, today was Dad's birthday. I went over around 12:30 with Myles and Bree. We met my Aunt Leslie, Uncle Roger and Grandpa Rupp there (I wish I had gotten a picture!!). Dad was anxiously waiting to see them. We had a great visit with them and I know Dad loved it. Aunt Leslie gave my dad a message/picture board so he can hang things on it, and a picture album - it was so neat. She put about 20 pictures in it - so, if you visit Dad asK to see it. It's wonderful!
Then tonight we took Dad to Los Hermanos for dinner. He was in a great mood and I think he loved being out with the kids. They even sang to him and made him wear a hat - it was great.
Anyways, I hope he had a great birthday . We love him so much and are happy to have him here with us!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD. WE LOVE YOU.

Wednesday Update

My mom called me this morning to see if we could take Dad to lunch - he was feeling a bit down today. So, we met over there to take him to Zuppas. He did seem pretty tired and down. I think he enjoyed lunch, but I think it wears him out pretty fast. He didn't talk too much.
He sure seems to have his good and bad days! Yesterday was certainly better than today. But, it was good getting him out again.
Here are a few pictures of our outing:

Tuesday Update

Dad was in a great mood yesterday! Bree, Myles and I went to see him in the morning and he was working on his speech therapy. The physical therapist also came in while we there to take him walking. Dad isn't using his wheelchair anymore - he gets around just with the walker, so that's great!

He told me he had some visitors from his ward that came on Monday - and it made his day. He gets so lonely and loves visits.

And, tomorrow is Dad's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! WE LOVE YOU!!

Sorry...

Well, it has definitely been a crazy week. I am so sorry I haven't been able to update on Dad for so long. Things have been a bit hard for our family this week.
But, Dad is doing pretty good. We were able to take him out to dinner last night to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my mom's birthday. I think he had a good time - he did seem pretty tired after. But, he is doing better at walking (with his walker) so that's good. He is remembering things better too, but still has his "bad" days.

I also forgot to post this picture of Dad and his cousin Larry. Dad hasn't seen Larry for years, so he was so happy he came up from Arizona to visit him.

But, everything is going great. I'm glad Dad is building his strength and is close to home.

Quick Update

So, I will be in Idaho all day today so I won't be able to go visit Dad. The past two days have been pretty good for Dad. He seems to be in good spirits, even though the disease is wearing him down. He is starting to understand what Lewy Body is, and it's very frustrating for him knowing that there is no cure.
He also doesn't like being there alone. He loves it when the family is there. His cousin Larry came from Arizona to see Dad, and I know he enjoyed that visit.
Anyways, I promise more tomorrow. We are taking Dad to Grandpa Rupp's birthday party tomorrow - and he is pretty excited for that!

Tuesday Update

Sunday night, Heidi and her family came down for dinner and to go see Dad. We celebrated Talen and Mark's birthday over at the care center. I think Dad enjoyed it, even though he seemed pretty tired. Monday and Tuesday were better days for Dad. Yesterday he even laughed with Bree and tickled her! It was good to see him a little more up beat.
I still think he is enjoying the new place. He has been doing physical therapy quite a bit, and they are starting to give him better food (so I guess I don't have to sneak in food anymore...).
Anyways, I am off to see him this morning. His cousin, Larry, is in town to see Dad. Dad hasn't seen him for many years so he was glad he came to see him. We are going to meet them over there.
Here are some pictures from the birthday party:

Family Pictures

Our good friend Christy took our family pictures a few weeks ago, and the turned out GREAT! (check out http://cheapshotsllc.blogspot.com/). She even drove from Spanish Fork to the nursing home in Murray. So, thank you Christy!! We love them.
Here are a few...