OUR FAMILY IS GROWING AND CHANGING!

Wow what a great few months we have had. We were blessed with a sweet baby girl on New Year's Day. Her name is Khloe Rosquist and is the daughter of Amy and Kyle. She is such a tiny sweetheart. It was great to be able to just leave and go spend some time to help and be with the families in Salina. Krista is struggling through her long pregnancy also, and so it helps to be there and lend a hand. Tara's family is good. Jenna had her cochlear implant surgery the end of Sept. and had it turned on in Dec. She is starting to hear but it is a slow and careful procedure. She is such a joy. All the other grandkids are doing great and busy in all their activities. We try to get to see them as much as we can. I must say Scott LOVES his job. I have never seen him so happy in a job ever! He still teaches part time at UVU also, and he really enjoys that too. Ryan is winding down in school and will soon be a graduate in Computer Programming (I think). Exciting times for him. I am so proud of Katelyn. She works for an awesome company and is such a valued employee. She just received a major promotion and raise. She has not felt very good for along time and I think we are finally getting to the bottom of it. Hopefully she can get well and feel good soon. I love my life here in American Fork. I have the best of everything. I am near family here and lots of shopping, I can go see my family in Salina anytime I want, and I have revived a couple old hobbies that I am enjoying so much. I bowl on a league with some cousins of mine, which I love and I have taken sewing back up and am really enjoying that. Of course with new babies, most of the sewing has been for them, but my next project is a "turning twenty" pieced quilt for Katelyn. Should be lots of fun. Well that is a little update of the Seals. Life is great!

GIVING THANKS

"FEELING GRATITUDE AND NOT EXPRESSING IT IS LIKE WRAPPING A PRESENT AND NOT GIVING IT".

I have so much to be grateful for. I thought I would give my top ten list. (today)

1. I am grateful for my family. I love each and every member of my family and all they do for me. Each one is so special and I have such great memories with each.
2. I am grateful for my testimony. I love the Church and the happiness it brings to me and my family. I am forever grateful for the blessings of the Priesthood in my life. . 3. I am grateful to love life. I love to be with people. It can be family, friends, co-workers, or just about anybody. I am a social person and enjoy people. I have always lived with our door wide open and everyone is invited to come in and stay awhile. Many of my kids friends needed that and I was always glad to have them call me mom.
4. I am grateful for the happiness I have in this life. I love to laugh and be happy and to share that with others. A good laugh is as good as a good cry.
5. I am GRATEFUL for the miracles that we have been part of with Jenna. She herself is a miracle and the miracles continue each day. She sees and now she will hear.
6. I am grateful for the relationships that I have with my adult children. I still love to be with them all I can and I think the feelings are reciprocated. We love to do things together. We have tons of fun together.
7. I am so grateful for my husband. He has stood by in thick and thin and has always been the rock and patriarch of our family. He is such a good example and I love him dearly. His life has not always been easy but he has always been strong.
8. I am grateful for the home that I grew up in and the parents I was fortunate to have. I was so blessed. I miss my Dad every day but I love to have my Mother and am grateful for the blessing she is to me. Also, my siblings, what blessings they are.
9. I am grateful for change. It is scary and hard but it is only through change that we grow and develop and look outside our safety net. It is amazing the good people that are out there, if we but look outside our circle.
10. I am very very grateful for the grandchildren that I have. I love them all so much and want to be an active part of their lives. Each one is so important to me and special in their own way. I will be so glad when the 2 new ones get here safe and sound and we can just enjoy them. I love them all so much.

Happy Wife, Happy Life!!

It has been months since I have updated or even looked at blogspot, lots of changes in our life and maybe some getting used to them. We are happily settled in A.F. I have pretty much stopped working, and while I do miss my co-workers, the Docs, and the patients, it is a lot of fun to do what I want. haha I do miss not seeing my oldest three daughters as often, but we still manage to be together a lot. I do see my youngest daughter and my son so that it a benefit. I joined a bowling league with some family here and I am enjoying that. We're expecting two new granddaughters so I am busy sewing and shopping and shopping.... Scott LOVES his job and that is great. We feel like miracles are constantly happening for our little Jenna. She just got her cochlear implant on Friday and they will turn the sound on in early December. Can you imagine what it would be like from deafness to hearing. Miracles.... Their family is blessed and loved. Our family is so blessed and I am grateful for it.

This Memorial Day

This Memorial Day as I think of all those whom have “Given their today's for our tomorrows” I want to express my gratitude for their love of Country and Mankind. I can never thank them enough for the selfless sacrifice on my behalf. To those they have left behind may God grant you all you need for your success and ease your pain with warm memories of your loved ones.
I want to also acknowledge my loved ones who have touched my life and have gone on before me to pave the way for whatever awaits us after this life. I want to share a poem with all of my loved ones that speaks of those we have lost.

This was written by Bessie Anderson Stanley in 1904
~The definition of success ~

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children, who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it, who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had, whose life was an inspiration, whose memory a benediction.

Dad, Norm, Dennis, Jerry, Kent, Grandma's and Grandpa's
We love and miss you all thanks for your great life and our memory's

Scott Seals

I think it we are 100% American Fork residents now! Everything is here or in storage. It has been crazy finding a place for everything and also fun to make it our own. Alyssa was here and she said this looks like our Salina house "up North". I thought that was cute. This kids have been here a lot for different things and I went and spent a few days in Redmond helping Krista after her surgery. I made it on Dylan's 3rd grade field trip, Keaton's Kindergarten Graduation, Kaydee's Patriotic Program, 3 ballgames, Anders, Keaton, and Dylan, and helped get Krista 3 days out from surgery. Not bad for 3-4 days. I still work a couple days every two weeks but I think I will thin that down even more. I am weaning myself from work. Odd, I know. I will miss everybody so much, but once I am here, it feels right to stay here. Our little Jenna continues to be blessed with good health and such good prognosis's. She is a little miracle.

This worked last year - Happy Mothers day - dad

To my daughters on Mothers’ Day
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 ~

Going, Going, Gone.......

Finally, the movers will be here on Tues, May 4th. That will be the last day in our house. I have to say I am ready for it. This has drug on way too long. It has been great to stay with friends and family but we have lived this way too long. It will be great to live like normal people, in 1 house. Alyssa will say to me, "Grandma, are you going to your up North house"? Cute. It seems to be hard on the kids. There whole lives have been here. Scott said to them, this is a house, but we take our memories and our home will be wherever we are, and I think that makes sense. It will be fun to come back and stay with them and to establish ourselves in American Fork, as a family. I found out today that our furniture will be picked up and won't be delivered for up to 1 week. WHAT? It drives around on the truck till it makes its way to us. Too funny. I guess we don't pack what we need. Well, from now on talk won't be about moving and I bet everyone will be thrilled!!! On to new and better things. Love to all my friends and family in Sevier County!!!!

I LOVED MY 50TH BIRTHDAY! THANKS

I want to thank all my family for the best 50th bday a dad could have.
I owe a lot to my family to say I love them doesn't even begin to express how I feel.

To my mother thank you for life. Mom you give so much love and no son could have had a better childhood than I did. Thank you so much for teaching me correct values and showing me how to provide for my family and how to value love. I pray you and Pa have many years together my family loves you both soooooo much. Thanks for the peeps you old chick!

To my wife how could I have made it through the heartaches we have had without you? Having you also makes the successes sweeter. I am so grateful we finally get to live together again. You are the single reason our family has stayed so close and our children live such good lives (from your example). I am grateful to your mother as well for showing you how to take care of your family and all she does for us.
What a great party and video. Thank you for not pulling out the "old age" decorations!
TO my kido's last night was perfect! You have all grown up to be such good people. I am so grateful that you are contributors to life and are living your lives as examples for my grandkido's (yes K & R this includes you). I can not believe how perfect last night was. You are such great examples of the scripture "honoring your father and mother". The memories you shared with me last night remind me of how much life we have lived together (sorry I worked you all so hard) and of all the fun ahead of us. I am looking forward to the next 50 years!

I do miss my dad, Norm, Dennis, Kent and Jerry (I am sorry my mother has had to endure so much pain). I just hope to see them again someday (way in the future). Seriously I feel their love a lot. I have felt my fathers love through all my special occasions and during times of great need throughout my whole life (what a blessing).
Thanks again for the love, laughter and light you all bring into my life!
Dad

MARCH

Well- just a quick update. Time does MARCH forward whether we want it to or not. Our little Jenna is out of the hospital after a bout with pneumonia and RSV. The whole family (the Seals kids extended families) have been so sick. Luckily Jenna seemed to have been passed by and then it hit. She was in the hospital a few days but did so very well. She is so strong for being so fragile. (I guess maybe she is not fragile anymore). She is proving us all wrong! I love her beautiful eyes and you know you see something special in her. Poor Gavin. It was hard on him. He is so sweet but he is so glad things are back to normal. All the rest of us are doing great! I seem to have the sweetest most loving little grandkids ever! No bias of course. The house has only a few more weeks to sell and then the company will buy us out. Then we have a bit of time to vacate. Will be so glad to have all the furniture in one house. We have kept some here while trying to sell the house. The AF house is looking great and can't wait to live with my husband under the same roof! So proud of my 5 kids and the great responsible lives they are living and the way they treat their families and one another. Makes me proud!

Blessing Day and Vacations

We had the most terrific day last Sunday. Jenna Nicole Heath was blessed. It was a day we never thought we would have. There were so many times when that was so far from a reality. We felt truly blessed when she survived birth, and then when she survived the NICU, and then when she came home. She has literally beat all odds and continues to thrive and grow and bless our lives! I got to tend her and Gavin last night while Kurt and Tara went to a Jazz game, a much needed out. She is so sweet and I am so grateful for her and for all the grandkids. Each one is a blessing and brings such joy. Also, on another note, we get to go to Colorado Springs for a quick little trip. It is always so fun and I love it there. Ma and Pa spoil us rotten and we have favorite places we like to go so should be a great time.
I will get a picture up of the baby in her blessing dress as soon as a daughter can help me. haha..

HOUSES - - - - - -

I know this has drug on longer than it takes to have a baby, but, I finally signed papers today to get the house listed with Caldwell Bankers. It has taken so much time to jump through all the hoops, but I think we are done jumping.(For the relocation company). It sounds like someone is interested in the house too, so that is awesome! I can't wait to have everything done and get settled in to one place. My family is great to help however they can. I appreciate the kids and all they do for us. I will be making lots of trips back and forth still. It's hard to want to be in two places at once. Scott is so happy at Rio Tinto. He loves his job and things are going great there. We have worked hard on the A.F. house, too. Lots of changes, but will be well worth it when we are done.

Happy New Year

We had such a wonderful Christmas and December. It was lots of fun getting ready for the Holidays. I was extremely late in getting a tree up and decorations out but I have two houses to do. We HAVE to stop this immediately! It had to feel like the Holidays in both places as we spend a lot of time between them. We had Christmas in Salina as it will be our last. I plan now to pack up the Living Room as the room is waiting for the furniture in American Fork. I wanted it here for Christmas so we had somewhere to sit. The Relocation Company is being completely slow about every step we take. We should have the house listed this week or next. Most our belongings now can be in A.F.
Christmas was the best. We had parties with both extended families and that was great. Then our own family got to spend a ton of time and food together. We felt blessed to be in the great circumstances we are in and have the health and happiness we are fortunate to have. Last year brought lots of trials and fears with baby Jenna but we have been blessed with a beautiful little girl who is straight from Heaven. She brings a love with her that is so sweet. Our family grew together through the trials. We are loved and blessed. Here is to a Great New Year with only one house but lots of family togetherness! We are blessed to have wonderful friends both near and far who mean so much so us. Happy New Year!

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