4:20 am & still awake

A brief moment and then things end and new things begin, as in the birth of a child, so is the passing of a loved one.

Mom took her last breath at 12:30 am this morning. I was with her all evening. Her breathing was shallow and difficult for her. I said many prayers to let her go and I talked to her some. Mostly I just held her hand.

I told her a story about a handsome man named Sidney and his young bride Beatrice; how they had 5 boys but only one lovely daughter whom they adored and cherished. They named her Joyce, and she grew up to play the piano beautifully. At 17 she left home for college and there met a man who'd returned from the war. His name was Ben Slack. He was tall and had fiery red hair and sang like a master.  They fell in love and married. They named their first child, a girl, after her beloved father. She had four daughters to make up for never having had a sister, and two sons and she loved them all so much. They grew up and found eternal partners too and gave her so many grandchildren she could hardly keep track of them all. She was so blessed, but after Ben died, she missed him and was lonely. She met an old friend Grant Terry and they were married for a time, and she wasn't lonely for awhile. But he died too. Now it is Joyce's turn to follow. Ben is there, close by, waiting to take her as soon as she's ready to go.

Then I reminded her how much Ben adored, admired and loved her. I hope that I eased the way and helped her to think of him at the last.

I'll call everyone in the morning when its a decent time for telephone calls. But I just can't sleep and I needed to say it all out to my own children so they would know. We did our best for her, maybe she would have been better off in another environment, but we felt like we should care for her and we tried to make her as happy and comfortable as we could.

I'm so relieved for her, I can finally think of her again as I remember her, and I'm so glad for her. Thank God for His great plan of happiness.

I love each of you! Thank you for being who you are!

A Month Gone!

I just glanced at this page and was shocked to realize a month had gone by with no comment from me.
Three weeks ago I let Layne convince me I could run a 1/2 marathon. So training began. I've been gradually increasing the miles and occasionally working on improving speed. The bumber is that I am very sick and will miss my mid-week run this week. I'm determined that I'll still run on Saturday though. I am excited about doing this. I'm actually amazed at myself for believing that I can do it. that's new for me. The other crazy thing about this training it that I let Layne sign me up for the St. George Marathon in October too. I'm not totally convinced about that one, but I feel like if I can do this 1/2 in Bryce Canyon next July, that will be the confidence builder I need for the full.
Another wonderful thing this week was having Katrina come through on her way to her Writer's Conference. I was so happy to be with her. Thursday was the best day possible. Shayna and Katrina and their boys; a day of shopping and lunch, then a break-nap time and finally dinner and a movie. It was just perfect! Layne and I got to watch Katrina's boys, Sam and Layne James during Katrina's conference. I'm so glad we got to do that. The boys was awesome! I am just amazed at how advanced Sam is. Kudos to Katrina for making learning a fun adventure for him. He obviously loves reading and drawing. They are outlets for him, not work. Shayna was so much help too! I believe recognizing that Papa and NaNa are kinda old, she knew we'd need it. And of course, all the cousins had so much fun together. Sam couldn't get enough of Braxton. They were all adorable.
This weekend: Tim graduates with a master's degree in Graphic Design! I'm so proud of him! I can't even say how much. I always knew he was so talented! It's good to see him push to reach his goals.
My children are all grown ups now! I used to tell them that becoming an adult was inevitable but just because you get older doesn't mean you automatically become mature. That's a process that takes more than just time. but all of my children are truly maturing just as they should. They have all surpassed Layne and I in one way or another, and as a parent, nothing feels better than that.
I love you!

Yay! A Fun Show!

Hey, we got to go see Trevor in a Charlie Brown Musical! That was really fun!! Great Singing and fun acting. It flowed smoothly from scene to scene. Trevor was adorable, He was playing Linus, lot's of home-study  material there for him, as all three boys were right on the front row with their very own blankets and thumbs. You should have seen them dancing with their blankets after they saw their Daddy and the rest of the cast doing it on stage! Loved it.

All is well with us. Mom even laughed a couple of times through the show. Layne takes good care of her.

Hey guess what! I'm training for a half marathon! Yah, we'll see, right? But Shayna might do it too! It's in Bryce Canyon, which I've never been to. I'm excited!!

Sorry I haven't been writing every day like I was, it seemed kinda too much. I love you all with all of my heart!

Be good!!

Conference!

Papa and I are enjoying General Conference so far! Taking notes is helping me to focus and remember.

I'm excited about 3 new Temples. Papa couldn't believe there were enough people in the Boise area for putting one in Meridian. But little places grow sometimes.
I loved Elder Perry's remark that Christ was the only person with dual citizenship. That was cool. I'll try to keep the Sabbath Day better.
Sister Stevens' talk about children being our examples was beautiful. I'll try to "behold our little ones" a little better. When she talked about the eagerness to serve I thought of the little girl in my class that loves to carry all the books back to the library for me. They're too big for her and it's adorable to watch.
I want to be a better follower of Christ, like Brother Gonzalez said: to be more loving and to contemplate my covenants more.
Brother Richards talk was very much like Elder Holland's to our Stake two weeks ago. Through pain we learn patience and we learn of God's love. Pain brings us to Him. He is our Balm in Gilead. I loved that one so much.
Elder Cook was very kind in his remarks about the women of the Church, both past and present.
When Pres Eyring called the Welfare Program our Untied Order and the Law of Consecration, that rang so true. I'm so glad the Church is set up in this way! I loved that he outlined how to help others and how to build their dignity at the same time. That's so important.
I thought Pres Packer was strong and edgy. Good for him! I love that he's not afraid to be bold and clear in his message. Be a better Saint and let people know who we are and what we believe.
Elder Nielsen: I loved the line "We live to die and we die to live again" Beautiful. Oh yah, and "The only premature death is one who is not ready to meet his maker." Wow. Of course, right? Right! Oh yes! And his quote from Pres Monson; "Fear not. Be of good cheer. Your future is as bright as your faith". Love it!

Oh oh!! it's 10 am already!! We'll see you after conference!!

We love you!!!!

3-29-11

Just pluggin' away here. Staying on top of work things and thinking about others. I jogged 3 miles on Saturday and 2 yesterday. Faster was what I was working on yesterday! Its hard to not just be a plodder.

I'm trying to resolve that its ok to not lose anymore weight. My body is perfectly happy being 150lbs and I can't convince it to shed anymore. I've been eating so healthy too! But the good news is that I finally don't want or  crave the crap - well, except potato chips and ours are better than store-bought.

Papa feet are getting better. He bruised them up awhile back and they are just recovering to where he feels comfortable again. Did everyone read his comprehensive blog on over-eating and other things? That was a really good one.

Joyce is doing well. She seems to be rallying again and getting stronger. I don't know how much longer this will go on. But its a struggle for her and we try to make it as easy on here as we can.

We love you!!!

3-24-11

Rainy today! I'm so happy for the rain on our plants and trees. I'm happy that it's Thursday and I get to take tomorrow off and work on sketches for Katrina's poem! I'm happy that I got a yummy shake for breakfast! I'm happy I found my birth certificate so I can get a new license - I lost mine at Zion park last week! I'm

Activity Days went well yesterday and I got to just help the 3 new girls with their personal binders and get to know them a little better. They are all so cute! How can they all be so cute!!?

I pray for you all with all of my heart! Be good and pray always!!

I love you!!

A Truly Restful Day!

The weekend was so nice. We were so blessed to have Elder Jeffrey R Holland come and speak to us for the last two days. It was so awesome to see him speak with the Spirit to what we really needed to hear. I felt strengthened and encouraged. Then we had Shayna and Trevor over for a little dinner and wonderful singing and just relaxing. The kids were great and Trevor played the guitar and we just had fun.

I hope you each had a wonderful weekend of God's peace (not necessarily the quiet kind when theirs  kids in the house), and lots of love.

We love you~!!!!