Any ideas?

The Gilleland family is fairly sure (no plane tickets purchased yet) they are going to Tobago in February. We want to make it a service trip as well as a fun trip. We want to bring useful items for the people/children of Tobago. I have been thinking collecting white shirts for either school or church children might be useful. Mom is going to put the feelers out. Does anyone have any ideas? It would have to be able to fit in our luggage over there. I was thinking school supplies or humanitarian stuff?? Are there orphanages with needs? It wouldn't have to be a service to only church members there, but if we have room or ideas, we could do community stuff too. Any ideas? I know I belong to the smartest family on the planet and would welcome any thoughts. I have considered opening it up to a scout activity or even a school activity by encouraging those people to help. Maybe we could all collect white shirts in our own wards to send? Don't be shy-let's hear your thoughts!

Another Address Update

Well, I have moved again. I will be at this new address for at least a month, but I don't really know beyond that. I'll let you all know if/when I move again.

2347 S Orange St
Mesa, AZ 85210

Fun in the Fall

We found the cutest little pumpkin face pieces at Walmart. I thought this was such a good idea considering whenever we carve our pumpkins ahead of time, they are all shriveled by Halloween.

In other news, last weekend we went to Navajo Mountain to watch Drake run. He is getting better every race. He was 18th this week and was so thrilled to get a medal! This coming Saturday is his last race of the season. We'll let you know how it goes.

What wonderful news about Gideon. You guys are in our prayers!

Great news!

Thanks for the update on Gideon. You have been on our mind and in our prayers all day wondering how it was going. You both will sleep better in your own beds. Give Gideon a hug for us. You will stay in our prayers. We are anxious to hear when we have a new grandson an see some pictures.

We are off on the airplane tomorrow at 7:30 am for zone conference in Trinidad. We will get to meet with Pres Vinas, 1st Couns in the Area Presidency. He is a member of the first Q of 70. We are coming back Sat morning.

Love,
G & G Ross

Gideon update

We're home!

The surgery went fabulously well. It was scheduled to be 2.5 hours, but the actual operation only took one--they didn't have to break any bones, or set any pins, or anything like that. It was pretty minor, the doctor said. Recovery's been a bit rough--morphine doesn't seem to work well on Gideon's pain, but we got through those first hours of recovery without too much trauma. (Easy for me to say, but Gideon can't tell his side of the story. Hopefully he won't remember.)

Because it was so minor, the doctor sent us home! Yay! We were all prepared for an overnight stay, but it is such a relief to be home. Gideon is totally groggy--he's zoned out in his bed, his little casted foot propped up on pillows--but hopefully when he wakes up he will be feeling a little better.

I am so grateful for everyone who has prayed for us today. I'm so grateful for the Gospel and my family and friends. I love you all, and I'll keep you updated!

Gideon

We'll keep you in our prayers! Let us know how it goes..

Gideon's surgery

Gideon's surgery is tomorrow morning at 11:30 MDT, so if you get a chance and think about it, prayers for him and his medical time are most appreciated. (And for his slightly freaked-out mother, too...)

I'll post an update tomorrow afternoon/evening, when I get a chance. (Primary Children's has free wireless internet, they really are saints up there!)

Dad's storm II

I was going to post only one of them, but decided to do both of them! Enjoy.

s

Dad's storm

Dad loves a good storm. We thought you might enjoy it, too.

Come join us again

This is an official invitation for everyone to join us on Thanksgiving. If you can make it, let us know! If not, we love you and will miss you!!

You've had a birthday, shout hooray!

Happy Birthday Gabe!!! A big 1-2 punch!!!! (:

Gideon's gimpy foot

I took Gideon into PCMC to see his orthopedic doctor. His therapists think he is ready to get his own walker, and also perhaps crutches. He has grown out of his Denis-Browne bar (that brace thingie he wears at night), and also his DAFOs (the plastic braces he wears during the day). So we needed a bunch of prescriptions and advice from his doctor.

I was expecting a low-key (if ultimately expensive) visit. I wasn't expecting Dr. Stotts to immediately zero in on Gideon's left foot--that's the one that had the cast for so long 18 months ago. His foot continues to turn in, and his ankle is tight and not moving as it should. And that means surgery.

Bummer. It is usually an outpatient surgery, although there is a possiblity that he will have to stay overnight. He has to go all the way under, too. But as Bradley reminded me, Gideon's an old pro at anesthesia--this will be his third time! (Which, frankly, is three more times than I have. So there you go.) He'll be in a cast for eight weeks following the operation (two four-week casts, more casts for me to decorate, a silver lining). This will put a little crimp on his walking, because of the cast, but long-term it will help him a ton with stability and mobility. Hopefully.

We've scheduled the operation for Wednesday, October 22--the soonest availability for the doctor. (Yes, just three weeks before Baby Awesome is due. Better before than after, right?) I'm not looking forward to it--our first real surgery since Gideon was three weeks old--but it is very much par for the course, and pretty darn low-key, too.

Oh, and we got our prescriptions for the crutches and walker, but not the other things, because we have to wait until after the cast is off to get new braces.

Gabe's turning 12

Gabe is turning 12 on the 10th this month. He will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood on the next Sunday (that is the 12th). We would like to invite any or all of you to come for this great day! :)