A blessed life

 In life, we can choose which path to travel down. As I lay here reflecting on this last year and all the crazy events, I choose to see the good. Our family has grown tremendously this year and had opportunities to love and serve. I feel like things are going to be on the up from here too. It was just a little over a year ago when Aubree fell asleep at the wheel and totaled her car but that led to a friendship with the Dickey’s. Living out of our home for seven months has helped me become more calm in the mess still because I’m glad to be home. People reached out and lifted u; most Sundays we were invited to members homes to eat. Money taken from the hotel, a fire pit taken, and three cars broken into has helped me realize the Lord is protecting us. Things do not matter, people and relationships do. Will’s ax and black widow incident remind me he’s just a boy and after the funeral this past weekend, to always say I love you. 

A weekend to mourn and heal

I am not sure at the moment which is harder for a momma’s heart- your babies leaving home or seeing them hurt. An unexpected event led to our family of six being together for the weekend. While circumstances weren’t ideal for a visit, Ginny and Aubree  lost a friend last Saturday, and my heart aches for our girls, Jake, and all those who loved him (Dallin Floyd Baum). Jake and I know this was an important life experience that can lead to growth for our girls but mourning is hard. It was a weekend of piano, song, laughter, tears, friends hanging in the kitchen, and hugs. It ended too quickly, less than 48 hours together. I hope the mourning leads to healing quickly. It’s so hard to let them leave when they’re still mourning and sad.  I told Jake I just wish I could keep my kids with me forever. He jokingly said we could build a compound, followed by “Aren’t we glad our parents didn’t do that because I’d be missing out on the best parts of my life.”  He also said he was sad when they left too but if he has to be alone with anyone, he’s glad it’s me. 

On a side note, Saturday watching Jake on the stand, I realized even more that this is the time Lord needs him to be bishop. He is a comforter and in the almost two years as bishop now has done 8 funerals. He says the most beautiful things and shows up for people. My girls told me that he comforts and I make people do what they don’t want to do that needs to be done (I guess kinda like a reality check person). 

Aubree’s story with her singing one of the songs Dallin liked.

When Aubree arrived Friday, we took her to Gus’s friend chicken.

Saturday night group hug after a long day (funeral and celebration of life bonfire that night).

Laundry is not one of my favorite things to do but having 4 stacks waiting to be put away reminds me my little crew is under one roof. 

Ginny left right after sacrament Sunday but they all appeased me with a picture.

Happy 19th to our girl

She’s beauty but not much grace, she’s our Aubree Rae. Happy birthday to our determined, beloved, hard-working, Jesus loving, Aubree. We are so proud to call her our daughter and of the young lady she’s become. She loves fiercely and always worried for others. She has a righteous heart, loves to give to others, and scatters light where ever she is. We miss her like crazy but are so happy she’s enjoying college. 

The last two years she hasn’t felt much like celebrating with her totaling her car last year (9/3) and thus year her friend, Dallin Baum, was killed in a motorcycle accident (9/2).  

Jake is a good man and bishop...that is all.

Will had the opportunity towards the end of July to attend FSY. He seemed to have a great time.  We enjoyed hearing the stories he shared and hope he had experiences to treasure forever.

Over the last two weeks, Jake has done two funerals. He does an exceptional job and is eloquent with his words.  He is a comforter.  Last Sunday after church, someone else actually told me that too.  He is soft spoken, kind, and in tune wit the Spirit.  I am blessed to be able to call him mine. Ginny got home a couple of days ago for about two weeks. We are always happy to see her, now if we can get Aubree to come home some. 

 

Clue Destination

 One of Jake’s clues led us to an old time photo shoot. I treasure photos with my family. 

Too behind

Wow, I have really slacked on maintain our family record the last month or so.  We had great time on vacation with our family.  After we left Moon River Ranch, we headed towards Glacier National Park for a few days.  We then drove back to Utah for an evening/day so Aubree could work and Ginny could catch her flight out that Thursday morning.  I was a little sad that our time together was drawing to a close.  Thursday morning as Ginny left, she bent over in the front seat of the car (I had been napping to take over driving and she can me the most tender hug and said "I love you, momma".  It felt as if she was really growing up and it was a sincere I love you. Fortunately everyone was resting so no one saw the tears trickle down my cheeks. We left the Salt Lake airport and began the last leg of our trip with Aubree and the boys. The last leg of the trip was filled with visiting volcanoes, National Parks, and icons from the Twilight series. We saw Mt. Hood, Mt Rainer (and ate fresh Mt Rainer cherries), Crater Lake, Multnomah Falls, Olympic National Park (stopping to put our feet in the chilly Pacific Ocean, walking through a rain forest, and seeing the world's largest Spruce Tree in Quinault).  We had lunch with my brothers driving back from Oregon to Logan and left Aubree that same night to head home. I am sure it goes without saying that I sobbed.  Our trip was almost 3 full weeks of memories.  Jake had even created a game for the kids to solve and had the first clues delivered by a musician in Amarillo TX. Jake had it all planned perfectly, even down to having old time photos taken. We left Bartlett on 6/27 and returned the evening of 7/14.

I began my new position at UTHSC on 7/17.  The first week was fine but I really missed Jake when teachers headed back on 7/26.  I have missed him several days now knowing he is at school and I am not with him.  I have also received some really sweet texts from other.  Two of which came from former bosses, so that meant a lot: "This is a TREMENDOUS loss to education. I brought my heart job to work next door to you. I have not seen that type of passion and dedication in a while. I am so happy for you and will be supporting Jake’s classroom. " (Cecily Shelton) and "You are hand down the best teacher I have ever worked with. Your passion and love for learning shines through so I can imagine what a tough decision it was..." (Kristi Murin).  It is true, I love to teach and love even more teaching side by side my best friend; we could literally open one another's doors from ours.  I will very much miss the time seeing him at school.