I stole this from Nina Shelton's blog.

Several weeks ago I learned that a good family friend had been involved in a horrible car accident. Katey Winterholler, who is about my age, was nine months pregnant when she rolled her pickup on an icy highway in Wyoming on Nov. 15. She was life-flighted to Billings, MT. where her baby was born healthy that day. Immediately afterward she underwent emergency back and neck surgery. Her family does not have health insurance. The road to recovery will be a long one for Katey and her family, as she also has a young toddler at home. It is unsure what the long term outcome will be for Katey, but she has suffered paralysis and swelling following the accident.
This story broke my heart, I wish I had the means to be able to help them in a BIG way because that is what they really need. I have wrestled with different ways that I might be able to help them, and each time have told myself that anything that I could do would not make that much of a difference. Katey's husband was my brothers best friend growing up and so this story means a lot to me not just because they are good family friends, but also because I am a mother to young children and I can only imagine the difficult journey Katey and her family are going through at this time. What I finally decided is that even though I don't have a lot to give, I do have a voice and I do have the ability to write. So I am sending this message out in hopes that others might be willing to step up and help out in any way that they can. No donation is to small, this family has a great need, and anything will help. If you feel impressed to do so please send donations to a benefit that has been set up in her name at:


The Katey Winterholler Fund
Big Horn Federal Bank
8 East Main Street Lovell, WY 82431-2002(307) 548-2703


Please feel free to share this message so that we can get it out to as many people as possible. I know that many of you may not know this family, but they are an awesome, beautiful family that is deserving of any help that can be offered in their behalf.
Thank you,
Nina Shelton

Stetson is 5 tomorrow

Tomorrow my Stetson turns 5. Tonight I took he and his sister Kandace to the movies at the Hyart. It was special to be with my kiddos. Earlier today, I took Stetson with me to run some errands. Just him. One of them was a stop at the hen house. He asked to go upstairs because that's where all the toys are. He spotted an antique Mickey Mouse phone for $35. He wants a phone for Christmas, but I'm sure Santa is having a hard time figuring out what kind of phone to get him. While we were at Hen House he kept saying he wanted to get a present for his friend Matthew. He was looking at a train. I stepped away for a minute and when I came back he said, "mom the train broke, sorry about that." Feeling a little worried that I might be paying for a train set that day, I was relieved that the hooks has simply separated.

Stetson has been asking for MONTHS if its his birthday yet. We have to go through the shpeal of how Carson's birthday comes Dec. 5th and then his birthday.

When we got home from the movie I told Stetson that when he wakes up tomorrow its going to be his birthday. It almost seems just as exciting for me. I told him that 5 years ago tonight at this same time I was folding laundry, listening to motab Christmas music and feeling excited. Michael was snoozing.

I have a little bottle of shampoo/body wash from Powell hospital from when I had Janelle and its the same kind they had when I had Stetson because when I smell it all the memories flood in, and I love it. Having Stetson and taking care of a newborn for the first time was traumatic for this mama, but it was OH so wonderful. :)

I still can hardly believe when I look at him that he's my boy and that I had him and raised him. Seems nothing short of a miracle to me. I love him and am so glad I have my Stetson.

Thanksgiving break

We kicked off Thanksgiving weekend with a DELICIOUS meal prepared by Michael's mom. She is truly a great cook. After that we hung out and then headed for gpa Simmons' house to spend some time with my family. The next day we went back to the farm for annual preg testing of the cows. Jan always cooks a yummy lunch that day as well. On Saturday we went to Mildred's to say hi to Michael's aunt Cheryl & Max Esplin, Uncle Gaylen, Uncle Clark & aunt Kristy. Kandace was lucky enough to help her great aunt Cheryl put curlers in great gma Asay's hair. She is such a girl and loves to do anything girly. After that we had lunch at cowtown and just enjoyed a quiet day at home. That night we took the kids to Puss n boots at the hyart and Stan & Jan watched Janelle.
Stetson was so excited--he is asking questions non stop these days..what does this word mean, why is this like that, and so on. I'm glad he's so inquisitive. Kandace is testing our patience but we are oh so crazy about her. She actually cut my hair the other day. I was visiting with the primary pres. in the living room and she climbed behind me without me realizing it and by the time I looked back I saw she had scissors in her hand. I gasped, immediately put my hand on my hair to feel for missing hair and sure enough she'd taken like an inch off, but you can't really tell (at least I don't think so).
I've recently discovered that I am over scouting in the primary presidency, and this is no simple task. I'm trying hard to get things figured out and do the best I can. It will be a challenge!
The kids are excited about Christmas. Its always a struggle for me to find a balance between the magic of getting presents/santa, etc, and teaching the true meaning of Christmas. I'm excited to get the nativity out and talk about the sweet baby Jesus.
I'm still loving singing in the stake choir.