YELLOWSTONE

My mom rented a cabin the beginning of October in West Yellowstone and mom, Ben, me, Jon, Michael, Joe and all of our families came up to enjoy one of the best weekends that I have had all year! (We missed Sara's family and Tim!!!) What a special time to spend with each other and to have such happy times together. A lot of our times spent together this year have been centered around dad and him being sick and then with the funeral. It is nice to get together with no agenda in sight and just to be there with family. The cabin was so nice and roomy for our huge troop and we couldn't have asked for any better weather. It was perfect!!! We went into the park a few times and were able to see some fun stuff, take a really nice hike, and even got a little too close to a buffalo!!! Nothing that I hadn't seen before, but it was different this time. I had a friend say the other day that you really can only go to Yellowstone every once in a while because there are only so many times that you can see Old Faithful and the painted pots. I agree a little bit, however, this trip was a little different for me because the last time I was at Yellowstone I was with Dad. I miss him, and I felt like I was a little closer to him and some memories of him than I haven't felt for a while. Dad loved nature and the outdoors and he especially loved Yellowstone. While I was there, I thought about him and how he had been there so many times. He never tired of seeing things over and over again and stand in awe of our Heavenly Father's creations. I hope that he was there with us walking along side smiling seeing his family together.

Blessing #25

Something that I have been grateful lately are for people that know the things that they know and the talents that they possess so that they can make our lives easier. Just a few examples, Jeff's car had a lot of issues and we took it to a mechanic and they just fixed it all up!! The sprinkler guys came over the other day to blow our sprinklers out for the winter and it was such a relief to know that that was done. I could probably find a way to do it on my own and for cheaper, but what a relief that all I have to do is make a phone call. My computer has been on the Fritz lately and even though I won't take it in because it works on and off and I am too cheap to do so, I know that all I would have to do is make a phone call and I could get it done. Yesterday, I went up to the cemetery with my mom and brother, Tim and we watched as two guys placed my dad's headstone on his grave. I was amazed the entire time not just at how beautiful it is and how amazing it was to see everything "set in stone" but the process which they set the stone into the ground. The engraver did a beautiful job and the guys setting it were very careful and there was quite the art to it. I was so grateful to them and their talent and how serious they took it and with what care they performed their service.

Blessing #25...People who serve us through their employment and through their knowledge and talents to do so.

Blessing # 24

For the past three weeks Grandpa Craig has been with us in our home. Never before in my life have I ever felt as if I owed someone my life. He has saved my life on so many levels and in addition, he has been such a joy to be around. He came promptly after Jeff got out of the hospital and has been here for three weeks helping Jeff, the kids, and helping me more than he will ever know! Yesterday we took him to the airport and for a moment, I felt as if I wasn't going to be able to breathe! He has been such a blessing to our whole family right now. Jeff and I are so glad that we still have a dad in our lives and the kids love having a grandpa still in thier lives as well. Belssing #24...Craig. We love you and miss you so much already!

Hamster Farewell

We lost Dashette on Thursday, October 1st. Calli ran upstairs that morning to tell me that Dashette was dead. She was with a friend and they rattled some stuff off about how Hali was going to pick her up and they found that she was stiff. Then, they ran out of my room. I wasn't sure what to think of the tornado that just exited my room. I went downstairs to asses exactly what happened and how she felt. I asked how she was feeling and she started tearing up. I gave her a hug and she started crying even more. Luckily my friend was there too and she told the girls that they should start planning a funeral. The plans began. They were on a mission! Out came the crayons, scissors, stickers, boxes and paper. In just moments, they had invitations, a headstone, necklaces, and plans for each of them to make a kind of cookies for the funeral.

We had the funeral out in the backyard. They had scouted out a special spot to place her. They started by having the boys carry her in a special box. They placed her in the hole and then Mack placed the dirt on top and then Calli placed the stone. Then we each said a few words about Dashette. We talked about how naughty she was with all of her escaping and roaming around the house without permission. We talked about he running like crazy in her wheel and how it drove us crazy during the night. We joked about how Grandpa must have wanted a pet in heaven with him. There were a few tears but mostly smiles and laughing. At the end we were able to eat the yummy cookies the girls had made. We all really grew to love Dashette, even me. I know that Calli will miss her. She did a great job taking care of her first pet.