SHOCK OF MY LIFE!

Wow, talk about a heart stopper! Yesterday was the big day. 50 years old. I know, I don't look a day over 29! Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise I got. We had a relaxing day. Everything seemed normal. The kids decided we would go to the Church gym and play some basketball and then go to El Mexicano for dinner. Seemed ok to me. Nothing too unusual. Scott, Ryan and I went to the church but I wasn't going in because there were some cars there. The building was dark so Scott convinced me it must be a youth group gone somewhere and said Krista had texted him and was inside. So... I go in. I open the door to the recreation hall and SHOCK....friends, family, neighbors, kids, co-workers.. all their for ME!!!! I was speechless, for a moment. haha. It was so fun and touching that my family would do this for me, that all those I care about would come and be with me, (some of course had other obligations and were missed) but I was so happy and surprised I could hardly believe it. The girls and Mom and Pam did an amazing job with dinner. There was a GREAT Video Presentation that Krista and Valma spent many hours putting together. Thanks. It will be a memory I will keep with me always! Thanks to Scott, a great husband, for thinking to do something so special. It meant the world to me! Thank you for the wonderful and (entertaining) gifts. My family means the world to me. My girls worked so hard for this day. THANK YOU ALL

THANKSGIVING!

It seems only appropriate to express appreciation for all the wonderful things in our lives. It seems this last year was full of lots of stress with Tara and Kurt and baby Jenna. Our hearts were so full and almost broken at times and stretched so many ways, but we should have known God would see us through and our prayers would be answered. We are so grateful for all those who shared their love and prayers for Jenna. There may be a long road ahead, and maybe not, but we have a beautiful little spirit to love and to hold and to watch grow up! They have come through the fire and have been blessed for it. Our other children have all done well, some with life's little difficulties, but also blessed abundantly! Scott and I too have been blessed with a great job opportunity and relocation (if we would get our rears in gear and get done with it!). We went for a ride yesterday and looked at homes in Day Break and the West Jordan area. It does look like a beautiful community that has a city and country feel to it. Imagine that! Eventually we will end up in the West Jordan or Thanksgiving Point area. A compromise from A.F and P.G. and Rio Tinto. Haha. Salina just doesn't quite cut it anymore. Thanks to all for love and support and thanks for the best family possible!

Halloween

This is Dax after a wild Halloween party!



This is Dolce, (Katelyn's dog) at the wild party.




These are my 5 crazy kids on Halloween. They created the wild party!- with their little spooks and princesses and mice.



Grandpa with our newest baby mouse, Jenna.



Dax- a spooky skeleton with an adorable face!



Dylan- A black Ninja Warrior.



Alyssa- A beautiful princess butterfly.



Gavin- The one and only Mickie Mouse. His Hero!



Jenna- laying back and enjoying her first Halloween. She quite enjoyed it.



Jenna being entertained by everyone.



Jenna- the party is over!



We missed getting a good picture of Keaton. He was so cute. He was Storm Shadow off of GI Joe. Hopefully Amy got one of him. Kaydee and Anders were not here this weekend. Kaydee was a pirate maiden and Anders was a Ninja Warrior. It is lots of fun to get together and have a good time. Lots of food, fun, noise and CANDY!

San Francisco and Home Renovations!

I was fortunate enough to go with my Mom and sister Pam on a 5 day road trip to San Francisco last week. We had the best time. It is a very very long drive but we had alot of fun. We stayed in Winemucca, NV the first night and then drove in to San Fran the next day. You drive up over Donner Pass and I always love to stop and remember the sacrifices that were made by the early pioneers. Such treacherous times and weather. What sacrifices they made. We stayed with my brother and his wife Robin in Walnut Creek. It was so fun. We spent a day in San Francisco, ate at Bubba Gumps on the wharf, Pier 39, shopped at all the tourist stores, and bought treats at Boudin Bakery. (Sourdough Bread). The next day we went to Napa Valley. You would think you were in Italy. The grapes growing are so beautiful. We went to Sonoma and visited a couple of winerys. They have delicous deli foods and olive oils. We went to the Culinary Arts Institute and attended a cooking class. It was fun. It was a great day. Doug treated us to Japenese food- squid, edommome (sp), such delights. We had Chinese food, Pizza from an authentic Italian Pizzaria. It was lots of fun. And then the long ride home.....
I did miss the Annual Pumpkin Patch trip and I felt bad about that. Always fun.
We have worked our hearts out at the A.F. house. Thanks to Kyle and Amy and Krista and Velma, Scott and I got the front room floor done. We brought the real wood floor back to life. It is beautiful!!! We painted the kitchen and the bathroom. We hung new blinds on lots of windows. It is really shaping up. Thanks to all for the help. We ended the weekend with a fun family Halloween Party at Nanny Barts. What a treat. We missed Tara and Kurt and family but understand the need to keep Jenna healthy. She is doing great. Tara is probably a little house crazy by now.

Happy Homecoming!!!

Welcome Home Jenna Nichole Heath! Jenna came home from the NICU Friday 10/9. They let Grandma Barton and Katelyn get a first peek and then came home to Richfield the same day. None of the family except for the grandparents have seen Jenna. The family was all so excited to meet this little miracle. What a blessing to have them all home and healthy as can be. Jenna is doing great and their family is so happy to be home. Gavin is thrilled. The dog is too! Jenna has surpassed all odds and is doing so exceptionally well. Tara and Kurt know just what to do and they have everything under control. Friends and Family have been awesome! How loved they are. It seems like the end of a long hard journey for them. They have truly been under so much stress for such a long time. It is so good to see them enjoy this little bundle. She will be watched closely and I don't think she will get to journey out for abt 6 months. Hopefully Tara will get some pictures of her on her blog soon. So Cute! I have to say being Grandparents is great but so much worry! We need a few easy ones along with all the hard ones. ( Emergency C-Sections and NICUs and scary deliveries.) We are grateful for each and every grandchild!

Jenna and Moving

Just a quick update to say Jenna is doing remarkably well. She has won the hearts of the whole family and all the nurses. She is a beautiful little girl with an amazing spirit and fight. She continues to amaze us all. Hopefully she will come home in about a week. Tara and Kurt are doing good and would just like to get Jenna home. The outpouring of kindness has been amazing. Thanks.
We now have half a house in American Fork and live there mostly and half a house in Salina and live there when we need to. It is kind of convienent. We had some things to do on the Salina house to bring it up to 2009 code for the relocation company so we are finishing that up. Meanwhile, since we are in American Fork so much, Scott is working and Ryan going to school and me there all I can be with the baby at UVRMC NICU, that we are busy remodeling that house too. Sometimes its confusing where I am to be. I still work in Richfield. I spend lots of time driving. I doubt I will catch up with all the times Scott has drivin back and forth.
Rio Tinto just happens to have their contracts come due at the end of this month, which mean the union workers can go on strike. That means Scott, because he is in management, has to stay on the property and not leave, until the strike is over. Great! Strikes in past years have lasted 1-3 months! They really don't think this will happen and hopefully will only last a day or 2. Nothing can pass the strike line, not even food or water. We bought him a bed as we don't have a self contained trailer. He is stock piling some food and water just in case. Should be interesting. Hopefully in this economy there will be no problem!
Life seems to always open new challenges for us but things are looking good. We just need to get the house sold in Salina and only manage one place. That will help. We want to get baby Jenna home healthy and happy. She has been so blessed.

MIRACLES

Baby Jenna is doing great! I got to hold tiny Jenna in my arms last night for the first time and the experience was so awesome. She was the widest awake I have seen her yet, and she just stared into my eyes and I into hers. I promise, it felt like seeing into Heaven. She is so sweet. The NICU nurse told us that Jenna has a spirit about her that is just amazing! She said she can be cranky but her sweet spirit always is there. The NICU nurses are awesome and we are grateful for them. Jenna has progressed so much. She has triumphed over so much and I believe she will continue to do so. She has defied all odds. That reaffirms to me she has a purpose to fulfill and she is going to do it! Mom's comment on Tara's blog brought a tear to my eye when she said Grandpa Barton got to see her and sent a special message down here to earth for us. Many of the blessings given have talked about how Jenna will teach us all how to love each other more and to love as Heavenly Father loves. What a mission and purpose. I have been grateful to be with Gavin these last several days and care for him. What a loving gentle little boy! Kurt and Tara's family is doing great. They will bring her home and maybe life will get back to normal for them. I hope so. They deserve some peace and tranquility in their lives. Thank You to work for allowing me to spend this time with Tara and her family. Thank you to my other children for all their help and love and picking up the pieces everywhere else. Thank You to all who have prayed for this family and Jenna. Our prayers were answered and will continue to be, I'm sure. Deby

NEW BABY JENNA

Awesome news! Jenna was born last night. She weighed 4 lb. 12 oz. and is doing wonderful. She is in the NICU but is doing very very well. She is on room air and has help with feedings but otherwise requiring little support. Tara did an awesome job and is doing good but tired and worn out from all the worry. Kurt too. I know Tara hasn't posted on blogspot yet and she will soon so she will post the new pictures. She has posted on facebook if you want to see her there. I just wanted to let friends and family know all is well and we have been very blessed to have this little lady arrive so healthy and well. She has been called the "Miracle Baby" in the NICU and by the Doctors. We truly believe it! Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. The Seals

We have been working so hard on 2 houses to get them ready. One to sale and one to live in. They both are taking alot of work. The one in A.F. is being updated and lots of changes. The one we are leaving is taking some fix up and clean up too. We have emptied so much! Keeps us busy. Scott is busy with his new job. Lots to learn. Great job! I am busy working and running between the two houses. We love spending time with the kids and the grandkids. Tara is getting closer to having her baby. Should be within 2-3 weeks. We still pray all will be well. She is still doing good. Ryan started school at UVU and is liking that, other than parking. Good his Dad still teaches there. We have had fun watching Katelyn play on a Co-ed Softball team for her work. It has been lots of fun. I look forward to the games. Things couldn't be busier but all is well, can't ask for more than that!

NEW JOB! NEW LOCATION!

Well-- I have been saying for some time that we are moving to American Fork. Scott currently teaches at UVU and I still am working in Richfield. Finally-! I can say he has a new job with Rio Tinto as a Manager. It is an awesome job and one that he has worked very hard to get. I am very proud of him. He is so excited to start and that will happen Monday (17th). They offer an unbelievable relocation package and we are so fortunate to get that. They will help sell our house and they actually buy it from us if it doesn't sell in 90 days. Lucky!! They pay all relocation costs and then some. We are working hard to get our house ready to sell and then we are fixing up the house we are moving into. We are changing it from carpet to all hard wood floors. Lots of work. The new job is incredible but of course it comes at the cost of leaving good old Salina behind. That isn't so big a problem, but leaving the family and friends behind is of course the big deal. We moved here in April of 1982. At least we know the road both ways. I plan to stay, once the house sells or is taken over by Rio Tinto. I will stay mostly with Tara as she will be having her new baby. She may need some help. Hopefully I can help and she won't put me out with the dog. At some point I will need to quit my job and complete the move to A.F. It will be one of the hardest things I do (leave my girls and grandkids and families and also my job (family). I have worked at the clinics since before I was pregnant with Ryan. I have much to be grateful for and feel very blessed to have it all come together for us now. It seems like it has been a long time coming but we are grateful. Luckily Ryan will go with us as he starts his Senior year at UVU and luckily Katelyn lives in North Orem. That helps alot. Here's to New Beginnings!

Happy Travels

It been such a fun week. On Thursday, my Mom, sisters, Lisa and Pam, and I went on a road trip. We went to St. George and stayed 2 nights. We went to Tuachan and saw Annie and Footloose. I was so excited to see Footloose as it was a movie that came out in the 80's. It was filmed in Lehi at the Roller Mills not far from where I grew up. The musicals were great and we had such a great time. We literally shopped till we dropped. We also made sure to have great food too. We got to visit Lisa's daughter Becky and her 2 darling little ones. Pam's daughter Kelsey was also there, and we had a good time with her. She is pretty entertaining and naughty in Hotel corridors. Then we traveled back to Cedar City and saw a play there, The Secret Garden. It was good. I had never seen it or heard of it so it was interesting to see something so different. We had a wonderful dinner there and rode up over Cedar Breaks and around and down into Parowan and back to Cedar. We laughed the entire way. It was great to laugh and pull a prank on Mom. She was a great sport. She puts this trip together and we look forward to it every year.
While we were gone, Tara called. She had had a test on the baby's heart, prenatally. They were concerned because Down's Syndrome babies do tend to have heart defects. She was given the best of news. The baby looks absolutely normal! The heart looks great. Krista and Brady are on the mend and all else are great. We still are deep in the moving process and looking forward to new adventures.

These are some more fun pictures of the family at the 4th of July. It is fun to see pictures from the different cameras. They all capture alot of fun. The little ones have really enjoyed the Holidays this summer. We have had a good time.

We had the best time last week at the Manti Swimming Pool. Most of our family went and we just had a fun lazy day. The pool has some fun features and we had such a good time. It had a beach entrance and we all just piled up and laid there and let the kids climb all over us. I hope no one makes a comment about all the Seals on the beach. It is always fun to be with the family. Our grandkids are the best. Life seems to be great right now. More to come on that. Tara continues to do well with her pregnancy which is a blessing. Krista and Brady are having their health struggles but they are tough and strong. The rest of the family is doing good. We are still busy packing up and preparing the house in American Fork for our arrival. Lots of work! We are spending alot of time on the road. It is kind of exciting at times and really hard at times but good things are to come!

Wow! Thank You Tara for the pictures! I really appreciate them. I will learn to do that, I promise. We had a terrific 4th of July. We had lots of family over and went to the fireworks, the parade, the event at the park, and then our own fireworks at our house. It was lots of fun. We certainly have several pyro's in our family, and also many daredevils with fireworks. It was a great time with lots of good food.

I NEED PICTURES! I don't know how to put them on the blog and I need a daughter to help me- please! We have been to alot of fun places lately with the family and done some fun things but no one can see any of it. Dang. My fault. I need a techno class for sure. We have had some fun birthday parties, gone to Thanksgiving Point as a family, and gone to a Moto Expo.... and had lots of fun. Our grandkids bring us such joy and fun and we love following them all over to their happenings. Our kids are all busy with life. Krista is going in for surgery in the morning. She broke her heal and completely severed a tendon in her ankle. OUCH! She has been so tough and walked on it for over 2 weeks till she got the right diagnosis. I hope thats not a HIPA violation. (privacy). She will be hurting for awile. Amy and Kyle have been in Kansas and boy did I miss them. I am used to a visit almost every day for our coke run at lunch when I am off work. Tara of course is hanging in there with her pregnancy. She got such good news at her last visit. Things are looking miraculously better. There is still alot to worry about and I'm sure alot ahead but she has not had alot of good news so we will take this and run with it. Ryan is out of school for the summer and getting ready to move to A.F. We have actually moved and set up our family room up there. It was weird pulling out with our first load of furniture, but kind of exciting at the same time. Katelyn continues to work hard and play hard. She is doing great. Scott is busy teaching at UVU this summer. He picked up an extra course which is great. I am busy working and packing and moving forward an inch at a time. Oh well. Got to have some fun in there too.

It is an exciting time of year as the grass is growing and time for planting begins. I always love this time of year. I love to plant the flower beds and pots and usually a big garden. I have to say, its not for Scott. Not his thing. I love it. There is something special about being outside and in the garden. I am happy to say most my kids have followed after me and love to work in their yards. A few may prefer cement like their Dad. We are enjoying going to our grandkid's soccer, t-ball, and softball games. It is a lot of fun. Our family is doing good and our prayers and love continue to be with Kurt and Tara at this time. They have been through so much and have a long path ahead of them but it is with the love of the whole family and friends behind them. There is a Conference talk entitled "Come What May, And Love It". It says if we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness. I'm sure we will find this to be true. We love our family so much and feel so blessed.

MOTHERS' DAY FROM DAD

A Mother's Love
A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand. - Helen Steiner Rice
You have all become such wonderful mothers. The focus you bring to your families can never be replaced. It is your station that brings compassion, love and above all Charity to the world as you teach your family to live correctly and then one day to set them free. Roots and wings are what a family is for; God could not do it alone.
As Mothers you’ve planted your roots deep in truth and love as you have built a foundation of strength, which has become your family, this foundation will support your kido’s as they leave the nest and sprout their wings too grow.
I would also like to add that Sunday dinners, dough fights, feelings expressed through letters and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” songs are among the things most remembered and cherished as we live our lives together.
Stay close to God and he will ‘direct your feet for good’. Stay close to your mother and she will show you how to have fun as God directs your feet. She will also show you how to continue the fight as the world might move against you. She will also be the example you will look to as you tend to your family and care for their needs.
~ With Love Dad ~

Thanks to all.

I have been wanting to say thank you to all those who have been praying for our family through this time of hardship. Most of you know that our daughter Tara and her husband Kurt are expecting their 2nd child, a little girl. Tara is about 18 weeks along. We found out a few weeks ago that the baby is very very sick. She has a condition called Hydrops and has Down's Syndrome. She has other problems that make it so she may not survive much longer. She is a little fighter but it seems Heavenly Father has other things for her to do. It is important to remember that Kurt and Tara will always be her parents. Kurt and Tara's hearts have been broken and there is nothing we can do to help. It is said that a mother is only as happy as her saddest child, and I know that to be true. Our whole family, and I am sure Kurt's also, have been just heart broken. While we pray for a miracle, we know the reality of the situation. It has brought our family together in faith and love. We are grateful to all those who pray for Tara and Kurt and their little precious daughter. We pray God will keep her in his special care.

Here are a few pictures of the kids and their spouses from over the past months.

I thought it was time to update our blog. I am back on two feet. That is good! It has taken over 3 months. I am grateful for my family and all they did to help with my recovery. We are trying to clean our house out and get it ready to sell . We have 30 years of life to go through. We will be living in American Fork. I will stay working here for awhile. Katelyn is in Tampa Bay, Florida on a business expo. She was thrilled to go and we are happy for her and for her great job. Ryan is close to the end of his Junior Year in College. What a smart young man he is. His degree is in Computer Science. He will be transferring to Utah Valley University to finish there. Scott is teaching at the same University. I am still working as a nurse at a clinic in Richfield. Our three married daughters- Krista, Amy, and Tara all have blogs on my page. Enjoy seeing our wonderful 7 grandchildren. We are blessed in so many ways.

Last Sunday, Scott and I finally were able to attend our Celine Dion concert. We have had tickets for 15 months!! The tickets were great and the concert was even better! It was so fun to see her in concert. It was a great night out for just the two of us- we definitely needed it!

I can't believe it is almost Valentine's day. Time is moving fast. I am grateful to be well again and getting back to life. I am so grateful for my great family and love them dearly for all they have done to help through this surgery. Scott and my Valentine gift is to see Celine Dion next Sunday in Salt Lake. I can't wait. I have had the tickets for 15 months! I will probably enjoy it more than him but I still am thrilled. My kids all work hard and are so productive. I am proud. Krista and her recycling,work,and family, Amy and her now complete family and day care and all her many kindnesses, Tara and her sick little guy, work and the kind things she does for others, Ryan and his hard college work and dedication to it and his love for family, and Katelyn and her work and advancements and her love of Sophie and Dolce. They are great and all 7 grandkids bring us joy. DEBY

WOW!!!! It has been a very long December!! For starters on December 3rd Dax had his 1st birthday!! He is such a cute boy and so full of life. He is walking everywhere and is such a joy. Alyssa turned 2 on Christmas Eve. She got a baby and a diaper bag that she just loves. She is so sweat and also very bossy. We love her. I also turned 40? on December 5th. I got clothes and PJ's.

Then on December 9th, I went in for a TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT!! OUCH! I had to go in early on that morning and they put a stint in to prevent blood clots. The surgery went well, it has been the recovery that has been difficult. I am doing physical therapy and also using a machine that rotates my leg. I am progressing fairly well.

Scott has tranformed into my personal assistant. He has been so great to clean, cook and help me everywhere I need to go. I couldn't have done this without him. He has taken this down time to do a lot of remodeling in the house. He fixed the kitchen up and also repainted my room and bathroom. We are going to put some new carpet in our room. We took out a bookshelf and cleaned out some old books. The house is looking really great.

Thanks to everybody who has helped in one way or another!