Dress-ups at GoGo's

Playing dress-ups is one of the favorite activities that all of grandchildren do at our house.

Brooklynn even got into the fun by wearing one of my old formals from high school. Gotta love the wig!

Bountiful Basket

This is what we got in our Bountiful Basket last Saturday. Such a deal for just $15.00! Pears, apples, bananas, pinapple, tomatos, lettuce, apples, cantalope, onions, celery, strawberries! You can sign-up every other week at Bountiful Baskets.com and select a location that is closest to you. Be sure and take a box to transfer your produce home in.

A giant step forward

John's three hour surgery is over! This picture was taken just before we left the Mayo Clinic yesterday. He has a fake smile, but at least he tried! Recovery is projected to be six weeks, but John will never sit still for that! He has already gotten dressed today and been out walking. He hurts, but he's a trooper! We'll find out next week if all the cancer has been removed. I'll keep you 'posted'!

New and exciting!

I'm a facebook girl now!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Are we coming or going?

After getting several opinions for treatment of John's cancer, we decided to go with Dr Andrews at the Mayo hospital. At 8:00 AM Feb. 12th, we checked into the hospital for surgery. John was all prepped and ready to go with an IV, leg squeezers and even a hairnet on his head. After six hours of waiting and having blood tests run repeatedly, the surgery was canceled due to John's potassium level being too high. Since that helps the heart to beat regularly, they didn't want to take the risk. Also John's EKG was off so they scheduled him with a kidney Dr and a cardiologist for next week. He was given a breathing treatment (like the ones an asthmatic gets) because it helps to drive down the potassium level. When we got home John developed a major problem with his urinary tract due to the effects of the breathing treatment. The Dr told us to go to the emergency room to be catheterized, but John opted to wait it out. About 5:00 AM the medicine of the treatment had worn off and the problem went away. Poor guy. He was to be back at Mayo at 7:00 AM to have his blood rechecked. Dr Andrews called with the good news that everything was normal. The other two Dr appointments were canceled and surgery was rescheduled for March 2. Whew! We feel like we've been on a roller coaster for the last couple of months and it sure would be good to feel solid ground under us! That sounds like I am murmuring. I have too much to be grateful for to do that. We feel sustained through the many prayers asked in our behalf and through the comfort of the Holy Ghost. We don't know why things didn't go as planned on Thursday, but we do know that Heavenly Father is in charge so 'come what may'!

Our #1 son, Greg is 33 years old today. He has a multitude of talents like being an artist, creative, plays instruments, has a good sense of humor, is smart...but my favorite talent of his is the way he listens. It makes me feel really cared about. He puts family relationships high on his priority list and he's pretty darn handsome too! (Gets that from me!) :) I love you Greg, you are the best!

Trials and tribulations are mandnatory, misery is optional.

In December John was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The range of emotions that we're going through is immense! Shock, denial, anger, sorrow, overwhelmed, hopeful that things will get better, grateful for our faith in God's plan for each of our lives-that no matter what happens, we'll be okay and that brings us peace. We've been to several doctors and heard every scenario for treatments and cures that exist. We are still in the process of wading through all the information in order to make the best decision for John. Trying to act like nothing is wrong is helpful to the point that it keeps my spirits up, but when it comes right down to it, this thing is all-consuming for us. We feel the love and strength of faith from our family and friends through your prayers and want to thank you. We know we are in the Lord's hands and there is no other place we'd rather be!

That's a good one!

Here is a conversation that I just had with Brooklynn:
Brooklynn,"I didn't know Jesus was a carpenter."
Me, "You didn't?"
B, "I didn't even know they had carpets back then! I can't even imagine Jesus putting in carpets."

Would you rather...

Would you rather shovel snow in 10 degree temperatures or sip lemonade and swim in your pool in 110 degrees? HeHe Susann!:)

Oh what fun we had!

We had our annual Barry Family Christmas party on the 22, complete with Bingo and white elephant prizes, dinner, talent show, nativity play, Grandpa Santa Clause, and sharing gifts. We laughed until we cried and we cried over the 'Barry Christmas' movie that Anya made of some of our past year pictures. What a marvelous blessing families are!

Big events, cherished times.

John's mother, LaBelle Barry lives in AZ during the winter months. She arrived in November, just in time to get to know her newest great-grandchild Sam Barry, just 9 days old in this photo!
Our oldest grandson, John, celebrated his 6th birthday at our house on Sunday, November 23rd.
Rich and Treslee Barry with Nina and Elle, Treslee's precious daughters, and now ours too! (Nov. 29, 2008)
My most dear parents, Elmer and LaRue Gerber with our son Brian, his wife Scottee and their children, Charlee, Oaklee and Jaxson at our son Rich's and his bride, Treslee's wedding reception.
Thanksgiving Day Family Volleyball Game
Our family minus Devin's wife, Allison and their new son, Sam.
The newlyweds, Rich and Treslee off to a great start!!:)


In the last 11 days we have had thirteen people here to stay. My oldest and dearest friend Herbie and her husband Steve came from Utah for a whole 24 hours on their way to Mexico. After they left our son, Greg and his wife and Bastian, our grandson, came and are going to stay until after Christmas. (Greg is working for our company which includes knocking down a wall in our upstairs playroom to make a huge room that we will watch movies in.) My brother and sister-in-law and four of their children and my parents all came from Utah for Thanksgiving and for our son, Rich's wedding that was right after Thanksgiving. He, my brother left to go back home on Sunday and my wonderful parents left Wed. It has been such a pleasure to be with all of these loved ones. Plus one of my sisters and John's two brothers all came from Utah too! We feel loved and supported.

We hosted a wedding dinner for 70 guests on Friday night. We had Famous Dave's BBQ cater it and it was scrumptious! Rich and Treslee were sealed in the Mesa temple in a wonderful ceremony with 53 family members in the room. Feelings of joy and love were almost tangible!

Thanksgiving was such a great day! Scottee and Brian hosted it which saved my life because of everything else that was going on. There were around 50 of us there but we had enough food for 100! I feel so blessed! We played games and volleyball, rode quads and enjoyed the beautiful clouds as they rolled through the sky.

Last night my quiet dad started telling some of our kids, who were over visiting, some of the events of his youth. We were spellbound as he talked for an hour or so of growing up through the Great Depression and his escapades in the navy. He is truely my hero!

There is not a basket big enough to hold the gratitude I feel for all the events of the past weeks and the people I've shared them with.

Thankful Tag by Brooklynn

List 15 things you are thankful for.
1. John-his righteousness, sense of humor, his willingness to work hard for his family and to serve with all his might in and out of the Church
2. Motherhood-My 7 children and their spouses (the six that are married so far)The wonderful people they are and the times we get to spend together.
3. Being a grandma to 11 of the most amazing grandchildren ever! The way they yell "GoGo!" when they come over, their singing, funny things they say, to see their accomplishments-first smiles to going to kindergarten!
4. My parents and mother-in-law and my siblings
5. My Relief Society sisters
6. The Savior, Jesus Christ and all He did for me
7. Heavenly Father and His love that He allows me to feel each day
8. The guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost
9. My Faith and testimony of the true CHurch
10. My friends
11. Good food, water
12. Healthy body and strength to serve
13. The comfort of reading the scriptures and knowing I'm heard when I pray
14. The peace that surrounds my life even though peace in the world is hard to find
15. Getting to bed early so I can read before sleep!

I am glad that Brooklynn tagged me. Counting a few of my blessings is so uplifting!

I tag Anya, Alli, Greg and everyone who wants to feel happy!

happy, happy, joy, joy, joy!

Rich and Treslee are getting married November 29th! This is a joy to us all since we have been waiting for another situation to be resolved before they could set a date. Now to get busy-er!!!

Introducing Sam William Barry

Precious little son
A sweet family!
The grandmas.

An Angel floated down from heaven today and joined our family as Allison and Devin's son. He arrived right on his due date (Thank you Sam) at 1:09 PM after a c-section. He wanted to come bottoms up (Breach) but the wise doctor said "no"! He weighs a whoppin' 8 lbs 13 oz. and is 20&1/2 in. long! He already has rolls on his legs and chin! He chose to have Allison's eyes, mouth, and forehead but he picked Devin's nose!!! :) He is our 11th grandchild, 4th one this year because we get to count Rich's 'two new daughters' and Trevee (Brian and Scottee's daughter). We feel blessed beyond words.