Summer has begun

 School let out on 5/21/21 this year and we headed to Texas right after to attend Natalie Langford's wedding on the 22nd.  Ginny was already there, so it was just the youngest three and Jake and I.  Ginny has actually been living her best life; she went to Disney with my brothers, flew home, and then flew out to Texas.  She was originally planning to come home with us from the wedding but stayed in New Mexico with Grammy and Papa. I miss her and by the time I see her it will be over a month.  

    Jake decided as we left Texas to take one of his sister's (Megan) dinosaurs with us and take it on a road trip until they see one another again 6/22.  He has been taking pictures with it in the background and sending them to his family. He thinks he is hilarious. When we arrived back from Texas, we left a few days later with our neighbors for Memorial Day weekend in Heber Springs, Arkansas.  The weather was a little cooler than anticipated but it was nice.  We got home on Monday 6/31, and I met my mom to get Charity's boys.  We are watching them a couple weeks to help out.  I also started teaching summer school for the month of June for the extra income.  Surprisingly I was selected and Jake, which makes no sense as he is more qualified. 

 

On a different note, I am working on being more patient with my boys and some days it so hard. Will likes to talk back but I feel that he is often in trouble and am really trying to build him up. There are days where I feel not enough but I am really trying.

Happy end of the School year

 We survived the school year during a pandemic and my kids are troopers. We opted to keep our kids virtual all year and they did it.  There were definitely some struggles but we made it. Christopher attended the Fun run at school and loved seeing his friends.

Rest in Peace Robert Dilgard

 Last Sunday (May 9th), Jake and I had just crawled into bed and the phone rang (11:48 pm). It was my dad so I answered and knew immediately that it must not be well if he was up and calling that late.  He said he had sad news about Robert and that he had passed.  My parents were in Idaho and the only thing I knew was that I needed to get to Charity and the kids, so Jake and I left our house a little after midnight and drove through the night to Knoxville to be with Charity.  She had sent the kids to school not ready to tell them yet.  Jake and I went with her to get the kids from school and then she told them one at at time.  Jake broke the news to Riley and Izzy alongside with Charity. Izzy immediately lost it. Sandra drive up that afternoon so her kids could play with Chare's kids and it was a great distraction for them.  Monday evening close to midnight, Riley came in to chat with Jake.  Jake is so compassionate and good for them.  He is a rock.  We bought plane tickets for them to fly out to see Robert's family and attend a memorial for the kids.  Seeing a video of the kids singing "Peace in Christ" and wiping tears got me all weepy too.  It has been a very rough week and I am sure there are many rough ones to come.  I have always said when Robert was good, he was good.  I  have cried much more than I anticipated I would. I am glad Robert no longer has to fight off the voices or demons but I know it will most likely be so tough on the kids and I hope they never feel that they were not living for.  Suicide will forever be a soft spot in my heart. Rest in Peace, Robert. 

Obituary

     Robert Sage Dilgard was born September 7, 1986 in Conifer, Colorado and continued on his journey to eternal paradise on May 9, 2021.

     Robert grew up in the north end of Boise and attended Taft Elementary, Hillside Junior High and graduated from Boise High School in 2005. In Robert’s elementary and teenage years, he was a dynamic athlete known for his passionate and competitive spirit.  He played every game with heart and tenacity.  Some of his fondest moments were spent in the Sawtooth mountains, at Red fish lake, biking the trails of the Boise foothills and swimming at Lowell pool.

     He served the people of the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission from 2006-2008 where he selflessly devoted his life to serve God and his children. During his service in South America, he found extreme joy and peace, both in his mind and in his heart. He attended BYU-Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and later a Bachelors in Nursing from Union University. He married Charity Eaton in 2009 in Tennessee where they settled to grow their family.  Charity gave birth to their four beautiful children. He worked as a teacher and a nurse and continued his education in advanced nursing practice. 

     Robert was a creative, hardworking, funny, animated, talented, dedicated, energetic, artistic, loving, genuine, humble, open-minded person.  More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his four beautiful children.  Music was how Robert loved to express himself and he enjoyed writing songs and playing music on his guitar.  His passion was evident whenever he played. Robert was an incredibly intelligent man and excelled in all arenas.

     Robert was a true example of unconditional love and always provided an environment of acceptance. He was fond of the saying, “Today let us have compassion and allow others their limitations without judgment.”  We know that Robert is at peace and will continue his mission in the next life where he will be whole again.  We anticipate the joyous reunion to come.  “We are made of the stuff of eternity. Endings are not our destiny. Endings in mortality are not endings at all. In His plan, there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

     He is survived by his parents, Robert and Jennifer Dilgard, his wonderful children Riley, Isabelle, Johnny, Charlie, and their mother Charity, his sister September, brother-in-law Travis Frogley and their five children, Keaton, Kole, Evy, Elynn, Vance, and his brother John and his brother-in-law Patrick Kaples.  He is part of a large extended family and was loved by all who knew him. He had a gift for making everyone feel like family wherever he went.

     Robert fought a rigorous battle with mental illness and addiction, which causes so much heartache and pain for the individual and for those who love them.  The family would like to ensure that part of his legacy is encouraging individuals debilitated by the illnesses of the mind, as well as their families, to get help. We encourage those affected to seek help early and commit to honesty and transparency. We know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the only way to overcome the trials of this life and experience healing and hope throughout eternity.

 

I have so much to catch up on

 We have welcomed a new member to the family, Penelope Diane Dickey, daughter of Rebekah and Adam Dickey.  My kiddos are enjoying the baby. 

 

 

Aubree also won a state competition. We have been told that it is the highest anyone from Bartlett has placed in the state.  She is a ham.  She was also chosen by her classmates to serve as president of the Thespian club next year. 

Mothers Day (May 9th) ended in a tragedy for our family. My ex-brother in law, Robert Dilgard took his life.  My dad called at 11:48pm with the news and Jake and I left a little after midnight to go be with Charity and her kids in Knoxville. Jake was charged with telling the kids Monday after school.  He said it was very difficult to do. I cannot imagine how Charity feels and having to tell the kids their father passed. Each had such a different reaction and they will need love.  Sandra also drove up Monday to be with Charity and the kids. The cousins were a distraction which was good.  Sandra and I comforted Charity the best we could and Jake was a blessing to the kids (they love him dearly).  My heart aches so much for them.  Charity paid a beautiful tribute to Robert with her facebook announcement. Many tears have been shed by me for her family and his.  I think everyone has so many questions and it makes me want to advocate more for mental illnesses and suicide prevention.  I know he suffered from mental illness but when Robert was good, he was good. I do not why he chose to do it and maybe he thought he was helping his children but I do know, only the good will be shared with children and I hope they know their dad loved/loves them very much. I do not fully understand the atonement and do not have all the answers but I know Christ understands and that he heals in this life and hopefully in the next.  He knows our hearts and I do believe Robert had a good one.

And just a few random pictures as well. 

Sandra and Brent's family

Post by Jake today....yes, he loves me!

I have now been married to my beautiful wife for 20 years plus one day. Why the plus one? It is the secret to the success of our marriage. Big events and milestones are wonderful, but what we do with the ordinary days is probably what matters most. Holding hands in the car drive to work, watching a favorite show together, praying as a family, dancing in the kitchen, sitting on my near perfect lawn, and sitting next to each other whenever possible are the little things that make each and every day special. Renee' Farrell is the recharge I need after a long day at school or a disappointing outcome. She is a warm cuddle buddy when she keeps the house freezing. She is the giver of unexpected smiles. She is part of my happiness. I hope to enjoy a lot more plus ones with her. Thank you for a wonderful 20 years, Renee' Farrell.

Has it really been 2 decades?

 

Most people will be celebrating Cinco de’ Mayo tomorrow but I will celebrating twenty years of the marriage and grace. Happy anniversary, Jacob Farrell- the guy I introduced to white cheese  dip and he introduced me to college football  and  nights.

 

My journey with you, Jake has been the best of my life and I feel that more every day (well, most days). I am still learning how to be your wife in the way you need me and I will never stop striving for that. I love you, Jake, for so many reasons—your energy, yearning to learn constantly, your passion for education, your love for the weather , fatherhood, your spiritual strength, your compassion and kindness, and your friendship—to name a few.

 

Jake- You make me a better person, happy, and laugh. You help me embrace life to the fullest. You calm my worries and my crazy. You make me a better parent and friend.

You have my back. You are always in my corner and on my team. I am better because of you!

 

I look forward to many more years of life lessons, memory building, and time with you as we navigate through this journey called life. Thank you for choosing me 20 years ago

Walk down memory lane

 This evening, I asked Jake to accompany me to take a few pictures of a house listing and it ended up being a wonderful evening for our family (- Ginny, she went to a singles family home evening instead).  We went and took some photos then took the youngest three by our old home, neighborhood, and one of our former favorite places to eat.  I was a little sad though when we pulled into our first home we bought on Red Lead Cove as it appears there was a fire or and the home looked so rough. It made me sad because of all our memories there and that the next time we go by, it may not be available to see.  We spent our dinner conversation sharing old memories and just enjoying one another.  It was a lovely evening. For scripture tonight I shared a few versus from 2 Nephi 4:4 where we learn that to prosper in the land means to have the Lord by your side or his spirit with you and then a few verses later in 2 Nephi 4:15-16, how Nephi delighted in the scriptures, pondered them, and wrote down teaching for his posterity. I want to do better at that. We also talked a little about the President Nelson's most recent conference talk on growing our faith, moving our mountains (spoke about how they are not physical mountains but can be our personal Mt Everest to overcome), and the story from the islands about 2 different types of miracles. Miracles where circumstances generously change and miracles where we are able to rise to the occasion and become equal to or greater than whatever trial we face. Personally, I think the second version grows us more.

 

"Two years ago, Sister Nelson and I visited Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. Each of those island nations had experienced heavy rains for days. Members had fasted and prayed that their outdoor meetings would be protected from the rain.

In Samoa, Fiji, and Tahiti, just as the meetings began, the rain stopped. But in Tonga, the rain did not stop. Yet 13,000 faithful Saints came hours early to get a seat, waited patiently through a steady downpour, and then sat through a very wet two-hour meeting."

 

We saw vibrant faith at work among each of those islanders—faith sufficient to stop the rain and faith to persevere when the rain did not stop.

Our beautiful Aubree and her nosey, chubby cat, Salem

Our handsome Chris- when he looks nice he will ask if  I want to take a picture.

Our first purchased home (4180 Red Leaf Cove), I was so sad to drive by tonight and see it in this condition.