Angels aren't necessarily up on high around here...

We've had a wee bit of a kink in our schedule this week. Jeff & I are sitting in Primary Children's waiting room while our oldest is having a brain tumor removed... yeah. Really. As of 11 last night life was normal. Sada woke up at 11:30 and couldn't see anything with her left eye, so we gave her a blessing and headed up to Salt Lake and are now in the middle of a 7 hour operation that Jeff would rather never have been part of his expertise. The tumor is the size of a golf ball, located between the brain stem and cerebellum at the base of the skull. The surgery team does this at least once a month here with the anesthesiologist and lead surgeon doing these exact surgeries for 15+ years each.

Looks like we're going to renegotiate Christmas this year.

It's all perception - our 3rd daughter, Megan, died very unexpectedly when she was almost 4 months old. Next week would be her 6th birthday. Compared to that experience, this is miserable, but very, very survivable. At the very least, Sada's still here to hug.

Keep us in your prayers. Miraculous experiences always follow, and we'll take as many as we can get.

Amber and Jeff

Sada 9, Alexis 7, Megan - working overtime this week, Paige 4, Jason 3, Kyra 4 months

P.S. I was just reading this off before sending, and a group of Young Women looking girls dropped off a 6"round foot tall container of coins and cash and walked out of the waiting room smiling "Merry Christmas." Told you prayers work. I hope tears don't fry my Dad's laptop.

It's Official!

Tiani Thompson is officially engaged to Brandon Taylor. He is the son of my Stake President. Brandon served his mission in Brazil, pays cash for everything, finishishing his 3rd year of college and then they will head off to J Ruben Clark Law School at BYU Provo in the fall.

They are working on a date, but maybe the 1st week in March, because it's just after his final exams, spring break and they can have a few days for slight honeymoon. Anyway, we will keep you all informed.

Ken Ellsworth was there at Alma and Joy's Open House this evening...I am sad that his wife Mary Jane is not doing too well with her cancer. She is back doing chemo again. He spends most of his time taking care of her.

xoxoxoxo DeDe

Meinzer Family Book

Click on the title or picture above and it will take you to the book that Robin put together from the family campout in June. You can order a copy or let Deanne know if you want to go in on a big order.

Arion Connor Botonis is Here!!!

Arion Connor Botonis was born this morning at 6:04a. He was 8 lbs 5 oz and 19 inches long. Cami went to the hospital at 1:00a this morning and got an epidural to smooth out the rest of the morning. She is doing great. Arion looks like Tim to all of us. He has big hands and feet.

It sure looks like he took a beating too. Poor kid. The birthing process isn't all bubbles and feathers. He is a sweet boy.

Cami's Baby Shower

Just a little shout out for Cami's Baby Shower. They have chosen Arion Conner as the name for their little whipper snapper. We'll see if it stays that way once they have him.

Invitations are in the mail so look out for them.

Here is Cami as of the 3rd. She doesn't like me taking her picture right now. Whatever. She gave me a fake "I'm going to kill you" smile. It's so much fun getting these shots.