WELCOME HOME ROBDOB!

Robdob and Ashpants on March 23rd!

If I'd had a little more warning today I would have made an enormous banner with those words 'Welcome Home RobDob!' in blue and gold, no that is too cub scout--hmm, probably red and black! Robdob was a Vegas Wildcat after all! Then I would have hung it across his garage door before he got home! I'm sure 3 foot tall letters would have echoed the sentiments of his heart, "dang I'm glad to be home!" Alas I found out after the fact, which is probably okay because time may not have permitted 3 foot letters in my plan today after all! It still illustrates how excited we all are that his is totally kicking C-diff's buns and has returned home totally triumphant in this battle! (You know with a little extended 'keep c-diff down' help from antibiotics for the next month!) Triumphant all the same! 

Robdob Rocks!!!

Robert will be on a soft food diet for the next 5 days. He was very excited to eat mashed potatoes tonight instead of yogurt! He is still having some discomfort and pain in his intestines and colon, so he is loving his Loritab! Other than that he is doing much better, so well he is home early! Yeah for that!

Loves!

RobDob vs. C-diff

It is round two of Robdob vs. C-diff! Good news for our team, Robdob is racking up the points this match. It is kind of an Ultimate Fighting Gig, down and dirty is how our Robdob is fighting this time! Kicking, punching, scratching with the possibility of ear-biting! Stay tuned for all the nitty gritty fighting details!

The most amazing part is that if you could peek in through Robdob's hospital window it wouldn't look like he is doing much. It actually looks like he is sleeping all the time! He uses Jedi mind tricks (thanks to Yoda and OB-1), sleeping is a total front--keeps C-diff from knowing where the next attack will come from!

Robdob has completely immobilized the fever, and throwing up! Still a little trouble with the runs though! His appetite is coming back and he is downing yogurt like it is going out of style! He even suffered through two cans of Ensure today, Ashpants was so proud! Drink those calories man! If he keeps up all this great progress and booty-kicking they are even talking about an early release tomorrow! If not, he should be in good shape to get out on Wednesday!

Keep strengthening the force with our Jedi fighter with your good prayers! They are much appreciated! Ashpants and Robdob send their love to all!

DNA Sunday!

Derek, Dave, Kristin, Junior and Shayla Baker!

Today we bring you Ashley's oldest sister, Kristin Baker! She lives in Houston, TX with her adorable family. She is the oldest in our family! Kristin and I were born a year apart and made a great team. If my parents were away, I would play with the kids, and Kristin would make sure everything was clean! Kristin has many talents and interests: cooking, baking, organizing, scrap-booking, reading, blogging, and she also enjoys talking with friends and family on the phone to keep up on her long distance relationships! Kristin is married to Dave Baker who majored in chemical engineering and works in the oil industry. She has three children: Derek 10, Shayla, 8, Junior 2, and another little one due August 4th! Kristin took on the big adventure of homeschooling Derek and Shayla this year, and it is going really well. Kristin is a great wife, mother and sister--and just a lot of fun! Here is some fun information about her:

Kristin and Junior

What is your favorite color?

Purple

What makes you laugh?

My kids, especially Junior, the youngest.

If you had to live somewhere for the rest of your life where would it be?

On a cruise ship

What is the most attractive thing about your husband?

He is so good with kids and is willing to serve others. I love those things about him!

Which is a better pet? Dog or cat?

The best pet is none at all. Okay, I do like birds, but they can be noisy. So we currently don't have any pets.

Describe yourself in one word.

Perfectionist

What is your passion?

I love to write.

What surprises you most about your life so far?

That when I let go and allow, things happen and turn out in unexpected ways, but always better than they would have if I had maintained control of them.

Favorite holiday?

Christmas

Worst habit?

Always seeing how things could be better/ cleaner/ nicer. I don't even have to try to do this, it happens automatically, and I almost always have to say or do something about the imperfections that I see. Sometimes it is a blessing, many times a curse.

Favorite dinner food?

Herb Roasted Chicken

Favorite dessert/sweet?

Pretty much anything chocolate

Favorite book?

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (one of many favorite books)

Most happy when...

I've had time to myself to relax and regroup.

Most embarrassing moment?

I tripped over a fire hydrant in college. I know--hard to believe. How does THAT happen? I was looking at a mountain far away or something, and as I turned around to walk, there it was! A fire hydrant in my path, and I fell--backpack and all. Thankfully there were very few, if any, witnesses to that incident. I remember doing that because up until that point, I never knew what to tell people when they asked about my most embarrassing moment. After I did that, I catalogued that experience for future use when asked that question. I guess I didn't have many embarrassing things happen to me, well at least not before I had kids. Now I have embarrassing moments almost weekly: Junior sticking his hand down my shirt, kids saying things at inopportune times, etc. Gotta love being a mom, REALLY! It has lightened me up and softened me in ways that nothing else could, and I am better for it. Much better.

If you would like to know more about their family you can check out their blog here.

*Robert was admitted to the hospital yesterday. He has C-diff again! They think that he wasn't on antibiotics long enough last time for that TKO to really work! Knocked it good and unconscious, but then it came to and started harassing Robert again! His fever has been gone since late last night and he has stopped throwing up. He is on a liquid diet to give his digestive tract and colon a break! So far he isn't that hungry and hasn't missed his food! They are putting him on antibiotics for a month this time to be sure C-diff goes down, and stays down! He is feeling better and rested a lot today!

Same old, same old--Crazy Week!

Robert was doing really well all week. Things were humming along at status quo! Robert and Ashley met with Dr. Gollard on Monday, to plan Robert's second round of chemotherapy and consolidation. That will take place in 1 1/2 to two weeks. And Dr. Gollard told Robert to keep putting on weight! He gained 3 pounds last week! So we didn't have all that much to report at first, but then things got a little interesting.

Robert threw up in the middle of the night on Thursday night. He started getting a little fever, but they were able to keep it below 100.5 (that is the not so magic number that sends Robert to the ER!) Last night they enlisted the help of Super Amanda and her EMT IV skills to give Robert a bag of fluid. He was feeling much better after that and even wanted to eat again. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to keep anything down and early this morning his fever spiked to 102.5, so Ashley and Robert are heading in to the ER! He took some ibuprofen and his fever is down below 100.5 again, but he needs some medical assistance in his fight against whatever villain is currently plaguing him!

Please remember him in your prayers! Robert was pretty bummed about heading back to the hospital, but realized he wasn't going to win this fight on his own! I will try to post later today when they know the name of said villain, and update if he gets admitted and his treatment plan!

We've had some sick kiddos around my house too, but they are doing much better--so I will keep up better on posts this week!

Loves, Janelle

DNA Sunday

We are proud to introduce to you the fine parents of Robert! Ken and Linda Ashworth! They are such an amazing support to Robert and Ashley. Linda spends hours talking to insurance companies and working out the financial logistics for Robert's medical care, and she is always at the hospital when Ashley needs a shower break! Ken is working on fundraising, and he is at the hospital a lot, too--to support the need for 'manly stuff' like video games and sports talk. They are definitely two of RobDob's biggest fans and always have been!

Ken was born in California, but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Linda was born on an Air Force base in Utah and grew up in Garland, UT.

Ken attended Clark High School here in Las Vegas. Linda attended Bear River High School in Garland. They both graduated from Southern Utah State College in Cedar City, Utah. Ken graduated from Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, CA.

They met at a dance in Cedar City while they were attending college there. They dated before Ken went on his mission, and were engaged for nine months before getting married on May 29, 1982.


They are the parents to six amazing, beautiful children: Robert 24, Amanda 22, Alycia 18, Ryan 15, Angelica 13, and Richmond 12. They have resided with their family in Las Vegas since Ken graduated from law school. He has his own successful law firm here in Las Vegas. Linda enjoys being a homemaker and taking care of her family.

From the left: Amanda, Anjelica, Robert, Ryan, Ashley, Richmond and Alycia!

I just couldn't resist putting in this shot to show off all of the fun and personality they have!

Linda says "I enjoy reading, walking, teaching primary, my family--watching my children participate in their various activities, swimming, surfing (when she can get up on the board), the beach, Disneyland, camping, hiking, the outdoors, water skiing and boogie boarding!" She is quite the adventurous and fun-loving mother!

Ken enjoys his family, watching his children participate in their different activities, racquetball, baseball, attending UNLV basketball and football games, surfing, Disneyland, the beach, camping and swimming.

As you can see these two people are a great pair! Through their similar interests, they have created some great vacations and family memories that will last their children a lifetime. Robert is so lucky to have such wonderful and caring parents who obviously raised him well!

More Love Story!

Sorry this is late in posting!

To continue this little love story . . . Robert and Ashley spent hour upon HOURS talking on the phone for the next little bit.

Until Ashley came home for Christmas. She decided to move home at the Christmas Break. Robert and Ashley had fun spending nearly every waking moment of the holidays together. One date night, they attended Ken's employee Christmas Dinner Party and went to see King Kong afterwards. Ashley really fell asleep on Robert's shoulder!

On Christmas Eve, they attended the big Ashworth Family party and Robert was the lucky guy picked to dress up as Santa Claus. Ashley loved sitting on his lap and telling him what she wanted for Christmas. ;) At this party, Robert gave Ashley her Christmas Present! In doing so, Robert displayed his charming sense of humor... She opened a big box to find two large boxes of Kleenex inside. (Just in case she had another nose bleed! Ha ha.) She gave Robert her best "death glare," and he just laughed! He told her to open the Kleenex boxes and inside each were a t-shirt and tootsie rolls! The Ashworths thought his gift was pretty funny, and I know our family had a great laugh when we saw it, too!

On Christmas Day Robert spent time with Ashley at her house. She gave him his gifts, too! He got that sporty baseball hat and a sweatshirt! They had a great time continuing to get to know each other and each other's families over the holidays!

They walked around at the temple the night before Robert left to go to school in Missouri. He had a baseball scholarship at the College of the Ozarks. I'm pretty sure they knew they were falling in love, and it was getting pretty serious!

Ashley moved into our extra bedroom when she got back from Arizona. The day after Robert left, there was a knock at the door and these gorgeous blossoms arrived! If Ashley didn't know it before, she knew now--it was true love for the boy who sent her an amazing bunch of her absolute favorite flowers!

Then it was more talking on the phone, with Ashley back in Vegas and Robert off in Missouri!

Over the phone, they kept the romance alive until they could visit each other!

I added the last page in the book, because I love the quote Ashley put on it!

So that is the story of how RobDob and Ashpants fell in love! Someday we will have to share the story of their beautiful wedding!

*Robert is continuing to feel well. We went to Applebee's with Elyssa (our sister at BYUi) on Thursday night! Robert ate all his ribs, fries and 2/3 of a brownie sundae! His appetite is back, and we couldn't have been more proud! He still rests a lot, but feels like his energy is coming back, too!

The Love Story! (Continued)

(You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them. I recommend it they are super cute and funny!)

So here's the thing about Ashley, she is incredibly sentimental--one of the things I really love about her. She makes the best gifts, and absolutely loves it when people make her amazing sentimental gifts, too. Gifts that hold memories and photographs! Here are the first few pages of the book she made Robert for their first Valentine's Day, February 14, 2006.

Okay, on with the story. When Steve and I moved to Las Vegas we found 'our house' in my parents' ward (church congregation). Of course, every Sunday we sat on the 'Squires Row!' One Sunday towards the end of the summer in 2005, Ashley was home from Arizona visiting. In the previous month, about six missionaries had returned home from their missions. During sacrament meeting I leaned over to Ashley and said, "some cute boys are getting home from their missions! Did you ever like any of them?" She scanned the chapel, checking out the RM's (Returned Missionaries) and replied, "I've always thought Robert Ashworth was cute!" Steve was sitting next to me and heard the whole thing.

Ken Ashworth was the Elder's quorum president when we moved into the ward, and his law office was on Steve's FedEx Ground route. So one day when Steve walked in with a delivery, Ken had him come back to his office for a chat! They became friends after that. Ashley was unaware of this friendship until Steve walked straight up to Ken after the sacrament meeting where Ashley divulged to me that she thought Robert was cute and spilled the beans to his father!

Ashley was mortified for the rest of church and almost went home. The funny thing is that Ken didn't even tell Robert until they got home. Robert said he knew who Ashley was, but he thought she was 2-3 years younger than he, and he wasn't sure if he was interested in her because of that. Linda broke out an old Stake directory that had children's birth years on it. Once Robert realized Ashley was only a year younger, he told his dad to get her phone number!

By the time he got her number, she had returned to Arizona, so they chatted on the phone on and off for the next couple of months. Ashley was coming home for an extended trip at Thanksgiving to have her wisdom teeth removed. They decided to go on a date sometime that weekend.

Conveniently, the Squires and Ashworths got together for a flag football game on Thanksgiving morning. Poor Ashley was mortified about having to see Robert with her huge chipmunk cheeks. We girls sat on the sidelines and said silly things to Ashley about herself and Robert the whole game. They talked for awhile after the game and made their date plans for the following night.

Robert was so sweet planning their date and took her to the Olive Garden so she could eat soup, one of the easier meals for her to consume with her sad mouth! They went bowling and back to the Ashworths to watch a movie! They had so much fun they decided to go out the following night, too!

They went to a basketball game at UNLV and made a bet about who would win. If UNLV and Ashley won, she got a back massage and if UNR and Robert won, he got a kiss. As you can see, Ashley ended up giving that kiss to Robert. It was their first kiss! Right in the middle of it, Ashley got a bloody nose! Total mortification! That didn't scare Robert off, though. In fact, he consented to come over to our house the following night for games and dessert with the whole Squires family! Very bold! Our family can be a little overwhelming the first time you hang around us, not only because of sheer size but because Brandon and Steve believe in teasing and utter embarrassment. The game Catch Phrase didn't let them down! Brandon got the word 'tissue,' and unbeknownst to Robert, Ashley had shared the whole story of the embarrassing kiss with us. So Brandon yelled out, "what Ashley needed while she and Robert were making out!" Then poor Robert got the word 'make out' and he and Ashley got ribbed again about their previous night's adventures! It was a great night!

After everyone left, Robert and Ashley took a big blanket out in our cold back yard and snuggled on the hammock talking, star gazing and saying their goodbyes as Ashley had to return to Arizona the next day! Distance would separate them, but they had lit the flame of romance, and now they were really talking! Don't worry, there's more! So come back for the next installment tomorrow!

*Things are humming along at status quo these days. Robert is feeling well, and it should stay that way till his next hospital stay and chemo round. He is even allowed out of the house these days :) as long as he avoids big crowds, or wears a mask!