Final Touches

Back in September, just prior to moving our sister Debra from her resting place of 42 years, to her final place next to our mother, were required to move the headstone ourselves.  On September 11, (which happened to be Jeanna's wedding day), Jeff, Jeanna, Stacey, and me got up early and retrieved the beautiful old marker from the gorgeous historic cemetery. 


Good thing Jeff came along.  We needed his muscles to
pull the headstone into the truck.



Me, Stacey, and Jeanna

A week or so ago, the new cemetery finally set Debra's marker where it belongs.  It's official, permanent, and beautiful. 

I think the best part of having Debra buried with Mom is being able to visit them both at the same time.  Debra's original grave was in the nations largest city owned cemetery and was a half hour drive to visit.  Now, she gets visitors all the time!  When Dad passes away, he will be buried right next to Mom, and right next to his baby girl.  When that day comes, I'm sure it will be a joyous day for Dad, he misses mom terribly.  He says he's not ready yet, but doesn't want to live too much longer. 

I can't say that I blame him. 

Sleep, Interrupted

I've always had trouble with insomnia, but lately it is getting much worse.  A few nights ago, I decided to investigate and document the reason for the dark circles under my eyes. 

Amanda, Mason, and Carson.  Yes, they are in the same clothes they wore all day.
Does this tarnish my perfect mommy image?

I think I can skip going to a sleep clinic.  The mystery of my sleepless nights is solved!
But wait...Where are Jeff and Jaxon?

Found Daddy in Mason's bed.  The time on the clock? 3:51!

And there's Jeff's little buddy Jax...Sound asleep in Carson's bed.

So much for getting the kids out of my bed, remember this post?

I suppose that one day they'll grow out of this phase and I'll probably miss it.  I'll be well rested, but I'll miss it.

Who Answers the Phone?

My mother's voice is still the one on the answering machine when you call my dad's house.  The first time I called after she died and got the answering machine, it caught me off guard and I cried.  Today, I called when I knew no one would be home... just to hear her voice. 
I think my brothers and sisters do the same thing.

Somedays I really miss her.

Stitches, Crosswalks, and The Flu

Some weekends just don't go the way I think they should...

On Saturday, Carson teased a family member's dog (not ours) until the poor little dog snapped and bit him.  Unfortunately for Carson, it made a little gash right through his eyebrow and we ended up in the emergency clinic getting stitches...

Praying that it won't hurt

Scrub a Dub

If I can't see them....maybe they'll go away?



All finished...Only needed 2 stitches!



On Sunday night, we were heading over to my brother Terrance's house to celebrate his oldest sons birthday.  We got about half way there only to have Jaxon puke all over himself.  All I could think was how glad I was that he didn't barf all over the car!! (Compassionate, I know.) 
No sooner did we get home than my dad called to tell me that another brother, John, had been hit by a car while in a crosswalk on a very busy street.  I got right back into my car and headed to the hospital.

Poor guy!

It seems that John was crossing with the light and got hit by a Jeep that was turning left.  He was thrown about 50 feet.  He sustained a broken pelvis, got some road rash on his face and knee and needed several stitches to close a head wound.  We are all giving thanks that it wasn't worse.  John should be out of  the hospital tomorrow but will need some time to heal. 
I'm re-thinking my decision to let my boys walk to speech therapy without me.

Monday, I woke up with the flu...

Can we have a do-over?

Skipping Rocks, Skipping School

 Days like today really make me glad that I'm a homeschooling mom!  It was a gorgeous day, two of the quads cousins, Melody and Ileah, were out of school for UEA so we drove up the canyons and took a good look at God's majestic creations.


The Autumn colors were spectacular!!!



Running down the trail to go to the river!



Amanda and Ileah finding rocks to skip!

Jaxon and Carson checking out the river.

Some walked in the river with their shoes on...

And some decided to go in barefoot!  Either way, the water
was COLD!!!

Jax threw a big rock just as I was taking this shot...
Great timing eh?

There's my pretty girls...Amanda, Melody, and Ileah

And my handsome boys...Jaxon, Mason, Carson (front)

Pretty miss 'Manda all by herself

Climbing out on this rock made me more nervous than it did them...
(Jaxon)

Carson

Melody

Gosh, I love these kids!!

Ileah took a picture of me and the kids before we ended the day!

Oh, how I love days like today!  A day full of kids curiosity, sunshine, trees and Mother Earth.  So were we skipping school?  Or is this what school is all about?!!

Life's good folks...life's good!

A Perfect Speaker and a Powerful Baptism

On Saturday, October 9, my nephew-in-law Harris, was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  (Harris is married to my niece Jennifer)
For those of you who don't know Harris, he is a quiet giant.  Large in stature and love for his family and fellow man, Harris has a way of making everyone he comes in contact with feel welcome and accepted.  He has a depth to him that radiates without words.  He's also a perpetual child.  He loves to tell jokes, play basketball and goof-off with his kids.  Harris can keep his feelings close to the vest and as a result, the day of his baptism came as a surprise to even his wife! 

 Carson was the highlight of the whole service (says a none too biased mother).  He has been taking lessons about church doctrine and baptism.  Jennifer asked him to teach us what he has learned..."Um, well, when you get baptized there will be water.  You will need to plug your nose and hold your breath.  They will dunk you under really fast.  Then they will put their hands on your head and say a pwayer and you will get the Holy Ghost...It's a gift!"  Well, there you have it!  What more do you need to know?  It was perfect. Simple enough that anyone could understand and he didn't put anyone asleep with a long boring talk.  I was so very proud!


Harris' brother Brad and Harris flanked by the missionaries.



A brotherly hug in the waters of baptism.  An amazing moment.



Once the baptism was completed, Brad was joined by John (Harris and Brad's father), Grandpa Max (my dad), and a few other men to lay their hands upon Harris' head and confirm him a member of the church. (Remember Carson talking about the pwayer?)  It was one of the most powerful prayers I have ever heard. The prayer was plain, pure, and beautiful. Much was said about my mother and her example.  She was definitely felt there in spirit as was evidenced by the tears falling from so many eyes.

I love you Harris and I'm so grateful that you and your family are a part of our family.  Thanks for just being you and thanks for being such a great husband and father.  You are truly a good man.

Girls Night!

Have I mentioned lately how much I adore my sweet little daughter?
Well, I reeeeally do!

A couple of weeks ago, I took miss Amanda to see her favorite country music artist, Brad Paisley!  It was in a great outdoor amphitheater on what had been a very warm fall day.  It just so happens that Brad is one of my faves too so it was a win-win situation...Oh, and his opening act was Darius Rucker (you know, the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish who crossed-over into country music?  Wise choice I think!)

My camera went dead so unfortunately this is the only picture I have from the evenings events.
Note to self....Buy a better camera ASAP!

It was chilly and late by the time Brad hit the stage but he eventually sang her favorite song "Ticks." (Which she would have stayed up all night to hear.) 

Thanks Brad!  She thinks you sang it just for her!!!



The next week, Amanda took me on a mother-daughter date.  We dined on loaded baked potatoes, watched the movie "Flicka" and she presented me with this darling frame she made, complete with our photo.  What a welcome switch from all the emotionally heavy times I've been through recently.
Oh, how I love that little girl!
Thank you princess for making me smile!!