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.

Blessing #23

After being in the hospital for four days with my husband (Please don't be alarmed...he's fine)....There couldn't be a better blessing than my sister's blog with her recent posts about Bertha. Here's the link so that you all call be blessed. http://www.saraslivinthedream.blogspot.com/

Blessing #23..A Humorous Sister to give me a good belly laugh
I guess maybe I am happy that I am sitting in the hospital instead of being pregnant.

Blessing #22

Modern Medicine is a wonderful blessing. Modern Medicine gives people a new lease on life everyday! They are continually coming up with new and improved things and curing diseases and vaccinations to prevent, etc etc. Jeff has really been struggling with his health the last few years and although there have been sometimes when the doctors are as frustrated as we are and throw their hands up as well, most of them have given it their all and have tried to help Jeff. Through our frustrations with it, and them not always knowing how to "heal" him, I am often reminded of something my dad said when he told me one time that that is why they call it a medical "practice". Modern Medicine was able to remove Jeff's Gall Bladder a couple of weeks ago without having to cut across his belly! Modern Medicine helped to prolong my dad's life so that we could be with him a few years longer. I was watching a segment about cancer the other day and they were mentioning that there are some vaccines for some cancers now. It is amazing! What developing minds there are out there. I am grateful for Modern Medicine in my life and that there are people out there with this desire and passion to heal, help and to protect.

Blessing #22...Modern Medicine

Blessing #21

It seems as if I have been able to spend a little more time with all of my brothers a lot this summer and it has been really nice. The older I get, the more that I appreciate the relationships that I have with each of them. None of them are guys that I call every week, or even once a month for that matter, but when we see each other, we have so much fun with one another. I was thinking about all of them other day and each one of them are sooo different. They all have different personalities and bring something unique to the mix, but then there are some similarities as well. We are like a little family "melting pot". It is so much fun to be able to see them all together and to see them interact with one another.

Jon is the oldest and plays that role really well. He is great at being in charge and yet being concerned about what everyone is interested in and about every one's well being. He has always been an active guy that knows how to have a good time. Everyone is drawn to him and wants to be around him. Michael helps me remember what it was like to be a child in our family. He is still a kid at heart and still does and says things that just makes us laugh. I have a lot of great memories of Michael and with Michael and it is fun to joke about those "good ol' days!" Tim is just Tim. He has always been someone who knows who he is and doesn't define himself by what others would think of him or what others would expect of him. I have always loved that about him. He has the greatest laugh too. More like a giggle. Joe is gentle, yet firm in everything that he believes in. There is no arguing with Joe. He loves to talk about things that are a little controversial and hear what others think and feel. Plus he lets you know how HE feels. He is dang adorable with his kids and with his wife Bethany. Ben, Ah Ben. Poor Ben. He seems to be the brunt of a lot of our jokes and will forever be the perpetual youngest child in the family. However, he has one of the kindest hearts that I know and is probably the most sensitive of my brothers. Even though he is focused on himself right now, one day when the time is right, he will idolize his wife and do anything for her within his control because he will love her so much. I also have a brother that I knew here on the Earth for a short time when he was a baby. Christopher only lived short of a couple of months but probably touched my life and continues to do so just as much as all of my other brothers. He was the first experience that I ever had with death and with my own feelings on mortality and of what is to come in the afterlife. Knowing I have a sibling on the other side has always helped me to live a little bit better so that I can be with him again someday.

I am super proud to be a sister to all of these great men! Those who are fathers and spouses are incredible ones and all of them conduct their lives in the way which any sister would be proud. They are all so good at what they do for professions and enjoy many other aspects of their lives (Two of my bros are Professors at BYU)!

Thanks Boys for being such a marvelous blessing in my life!

Blessing # 21...SIX BROTHERS