A Story of a Special Family

I have a dear friend named Gaylene. We grew up together in California and have been very close through the years. She has 5 kids, I have 4. She got started a few years before I did but our kids have grown up as friends as well. It really is cool ! Her oldest son and his wife have two kids. A girl 3 and a boy almost two. About 9 months ago they found out they were going to have another baby. After the initial shock of another baby settled in, they were excited. In an ultra sound somewhere around the 25th week they learned they were having a little girl, but that was not all they learned. Their baby had problems, big problems. She had water on the brain and it was not developing. Her head was abnormally large and she had an open spine and possible heart problems. They were devastated. The chances of the baby living through the birthing process were very slim and if she did she may live only for a day, a week, a month. They could only say that she would die they just did not know when. Kelly continued on with her pregnancy knowing that she would not raise this child in this lifetime. This was a very stressful time in their lives. People don't always react the same way to stress even when they are married. Kelly being a women wanted to talk about the baby and try to bond with her as much as possible. Eric had a hard time talking about her and did not want to become attached. These poor kids were in such pain. They counseled with doctors , specialist, researchers and their Bishop all of whom showed great compassion for them. Satan shows no mercy when your spirits are down. They learned this quickly and were able to come together and make decisions for their baby's future, what ever it may be. Kelly went just about full term. She was induced a little early because the doctors knew the head size would be a problem in a regular birth. Through the labor the baby's heart beat was strong. The labor was very long. Still you know, you hold out hope for a miracle. When Joanna was born it was quiet and she was blue. There were tears from everyone. They wrapped her in warm blankets and took a few pictures of her tiny hands and feet. Something to show that she had come to earth for a short time. In the time that Gaylene spent with her granddaughter she said the baby's color seemed to pink up it was a tender mercy for them. A lady came in to get the name for the birth certificate . Kelly told her that their baby had been still born and would not get a birth certificate. The lady looked puzzled and excused her self from the room. A nurse came in and told them that the baby had an Apgaurd test of 1 at birth which meant her little heart was beating even if she never took a breath. Joanna did get her body and felt her mother's warm embrace. She had just a moment here on earth. She was such a special child. Joanna could not stay on earth but she made it possible for three other babies to stay with their families. Kelly and Eric wanted Joanna's life to count for something. She fulfilled her purpose and gave priceless gifts to others while on earth. Kelly and Eric chose to name her Joanna Elaine after their two great grandmothers who they feel will be taking care of their little girl until they are together again as a family. Joanna was truly a Special Child.

Special Child

Special child, gift from God
Holding tight to the iron rod.
Your life's plan is known to one
Who's loved you since the world's begun.
A noble birth to parents dear
Cradled in hope, your future's unclear.
Prayers ascend, fear is gone
Pain erased and spirits strong.
Each story is written with the Master's pen
It begins with love and has no end.


By: Shelly Isom
6/25/08

HELL'S CANYON RIVER TRIP with the WALKER FAMILY

We left home Monday at 11:00 am. We drove all day and finally arrived at our camp site in Idaho at 11:00 pm. It had just barely got dark. That was really strange. We we so tired. The kids just through out a trap and slept under the stars. We got up early and drove to the Hell's Canyon put in spot.

This is where it all begins.

Unloading the equipment at the put in. Everything goes on the boat. Getting the boats all blown up and everything packed on them took about 2 hours.

Chad had the Barney life jacket. Looks a little small on him.Karen with her fish head. She would clean and skin the fish. Gross Karen! Cool shot of Mike and the river.

Karen washing her hair from the side of the boat.

Chad and Trent pinky swearing to something.

Trent's first catch was a bass.

Chris and Trent fishing in the calm parts of the river.

Tyler was the boatmen for this boat. Chad , Karen and Tyler's girlfriend Adrianne rode together.

We had to hike up this creek to get to the bridge to make our camp. It was freezing cold. Chris killed a rattle snake that was right under this tree where you hop off the bridge.

Rise and shine kids it's a new day.

Everyone had daily chores. Chad and Karen are on breakfast duty.

Chad and Cynthia in the Ducky. Jess and Debbie in their boat.

Chad and Karen in the Ducky. They did really good in the rapids.

This was our COOL shower..............Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Here is an interesting little side note about the ranch. The people who were staying at the ranch the day before us were Mike Meyers and his family. YES, I do mean Austin Powers. Weird huh! You can only access this place from the river. You hike up a hill and all of a sudden you are on beautiful green grass with huge shade trees. Heaven!

Me just chill'n in the early morning sun. The kids are still sleeping in the back ground on the cots

Smore's at Sheep Creek Ranch where we spent two days.

Chris grew up running this river, hiking and hunting these hills.

Mike , Chad , Chris & Cynthia hike Suicide Point on the Idaho side of the river.

The end of the line on day 6.

The take out at the end of the trip. Chad and Karen are working hard or hardly working I'm not sure which.

Thank you Chris, Cynthia, Tyler, Karen & Trent for an amazing week in Hell's Canyon on the Snake River.

Happy Father's Day Mike***Through The Years

This is a tribute to Mike Isom, husband , father, son, son-in-law, friend and all around good guy. He is devoted to his family and loves to spend his time with his kids. He spends countless hours tutoring, teaching, working, supporting and praying for them. They are the light of his life. Everything we are as a family is because of Mike's ability to be a hands on Dad around the clock.

I believe my kids know how lucky they are to have him for their Dad.

To my girls I say, choose well.

To my sons I say, prepare you have big shoes to fill . Love You!

Returned With Honor

GO UTES -Good Times
Random pictures of places Dad has taken us!

Revisiting an Old Issue*********The Trampoline*******

The trampoline freaks me out, or maybe just Chad on the thing does!

Kalli was more timid. She stayed closer to the ground. Cool hair though !

So, after dinner tonight Chad was going on about how mean we were to take the trampoline apart, like I don't know 4 years ago maybe. Anyway he talked his Dad into letting him set it up again. I took some pictures of him in action.

Hooray I 'm Free

This weekend I put the finishing touches on a two month project. I made two bridesmaid dresses for Kalli's friend Brittney's wedding. I also ended up altering her wedding dress for her. That was more complicated. Anyway the wedding is on Wednesday and all that is left for me to do is help with the flowers.