Death Is Not the End

Yesterday was a rainy spring day, reflecting the feeling of  sadness that was felt all around our neighborhood...

Bishop Gabe and I were able to meet with Sheri and her family and help them get going on funeral plans and arrangements. It was just so hard to believe that we were there doing what we were doing...it didn't seem real. Sheri looked so exhausted and frail, and rightly so.

I hugged her in a tight embrace and held her as she cried and cried and my heart hurt so bad for her...her husband and best friend is gone  and she is going to miss him so much.

But death is not the end...

Isaiah 25:8

8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces...

I cannot wait for this great day when so many will be reunited with their loved ones, and the tears that are shed will be nothing but tears of pure joy. :)

Tomorrow is General Conference and I cannot wait for the spiritual direction, instruction, comfort, and nourishment to the soul!

Grandma, a Mission Recommendation, and the Atonement

 It brings me so much joy to see how much love and excitement exists between my mom and her grandkids...

Especially when they are babies! 

I know that they all love her at any stage of life, but there is something so fun about the innosence and the lack of holding back on any degree. when they are little..

They ALL have just genuinely loved Grandma, and I love it! :)

 As my mom came to visit me today I was tickled to see how much happiness it brought Kesslyn just to climb up on Grandma's lap! When she read her a book, her face just lit up!

 Simple. Innocent. Pure joy...child like love!

 At one point after grandma had finished reading her book to her they were just giggling and playing with each other and grandma was tickling Kesslyn and she laughed...and then started tickling herself!!! 

It was sooo cute!!!

 Then it was time for Kesslyn to have a little nap, so I layed her down and then gave my mom a haircut.

I thought she looked so beautiful! Then of course we had to stop at our favorite place for lunch...Zupas!

Nuts about Berries Salad, Wisconsin Cauliflower soup, an Ultimate Grilled Cheese sandwich, and even a piece of chocolate cheescake!!! We spoiled ourselves! ;)

 After our lunch, I had to get my mom on the road and then took Kesslyn to the high school to watch Carew run his 1 mile run for track. I'm always so proud of him for giving his whole heart and soul! In track you have no one but yourself to blame if you do well or not...and today, Carew got his personal record! a sub 5 minute mile! (I think it may have helped that cute Kate was watching and cheering him on! ;)

(Carew is the one in the hat...he said it would bring him good luck ;)

 If you think he looks sick...he does. He really pushed himself!!!

GREAT job Carew!!!

 Today was also the day when Carew finally finished EVERYTHING for his mission paperwork and then pushed the "SUBMIT" button!!!!! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!

Can I just say that I feel like I am riding the emotional roller coaster every single day of my life right now??? I am so completely overwhelmed with emotion that I often feel like pinching myself  to make sure that it is all real...I am FULL of gratitude and joy and don't know HOW Heavenly Father seems to always give us such good good gifts. I feel so much of His love that it is really indescribable...but I'm grateful to be recording it all because we are in the thick of it and I don''t ever want to forget it! :)

 AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! :)  :)  :)

 Today was also a day of very high emotion as we awaited the news of test results on our dear neighbor and friend Dave Penrose...the outcome has not been good, and we are having to say goodbye...

 Clint and I walked around the neighborhood feeling somber, grateful, worried, and happy to have each other...When things like this happen, it reminds you of just how precious time really is. I'm so grateful for the many ways that Heavenly Father sends us His love even when trials arise and pain is evident.There is something healing in the beauty of His creations...it is a reminder of both His great majesty, and His kind and gentle hand...

This morning we did receive news that Dave passed away peacefully in the night. 

I know that it is time to put the atonement to work, to use my hands for service and good, and to surround my ward family with love.

Mosiah 24:14

 When you are serving as relief society president and your days are filled with worry and concern for others, and you spend most of your time coordinating with and contacting others...it is heaven sent when you find a gift of loving words AND chocolate on your kitchen counter! ;)

My sweet friend Traci Day is not only my friend, she's my neighbor, I was her visiting teacher for many years, and now she is our Stake Relief Society president. She has become my right hand woman and I love her. She left me this sweet note, incredibly motivational scripture, and the treat along with dinner for my family because she KNEW what work I was engaged in...

Mosiah 24:14

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

I KNOW that throughout this crazy life,

 our loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ are ALWAYS there!

A Roller~Coaster Kind of Day

 Mission prep for this young man has been a life long journey, and as we have been working on filling out his mission papers, we finally reached the last item to check off the list before he can turn those papers in...

the physical!

 He is a strong and healthy young man that I know will do amazing wherever in the world the Lord needs him! Now he just has to return to the doctors office on Wednesday for them to read the results of his TB test and everything will be complete for him to submit his papers!!! Yay!!! :) I can hardly believe we are here...

Kesslyn is thinking she will have nothing to do with her brother Carew leaving her side...

She loves him soooo much and the feeling I know is mutual for Carew...I've told him many times that THAT might be the hardest thing about his mission is how much he will miss her!!!

 Then later today after everyone returned home from school, this cute little kitty cat prowled into the kitchen just BEAMING from ear to ear!!! She FINALLY lost her front wiggly tooth and now is missing her 

"2 front teeth!!!" Cute, cute, CUTE!!!

 Today was also a day of fasting and prayers  for our neighbor and friend Dave Penrose and his family. Two nights ago his heart stopped in the middle of the night. He had to be resuscitated and is fighting for his life in the hospital. Our ward family held a special fast for him and we have just been praying that he will be ok. We know that Heavenly Father has a plan and that things will work out. I will show forth all my faith in knowing that whatever is best is what Heavenly Father will allow...I am going to try and go up to the hospital today to see if I can visit with his sweet wife Sheri and offer her a hug and love with a shoulder to lean on...Sheri was one of my counselors when I was in the Primary and I feel like our hearts and spirits truly know and love each other. My heart has ached for her thinking of the fear and pain that she has had to experience over these past few days...But Heavenly Father knows our hearts, and I know he knows Sheri's and will provide what she needs both through angels we can and cannot see...we will see what news we receive today...

On a happy note, afetr all of the phone calls, texts, and arrangements made for the Penrose family, I was able to take a little break and join my sweet Kambriella for her "Take Your Mom to Dance Day!"

I had a BLAST watching this little living miracle work her magic!!! She was literally a little ball of positive energy shakin' it and movin' on the dance floor!!! :) 

 Not only was Kambriella right on beat and fully confident in herself, but she was having FUN!!! I could just FEEL her enthusiasm!!!
~And her FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WERE KILLING ME!!! Who' little girl IS this?!?! I didn't even capture the heart of what was on her face...but these pictures give you a good idea... :)

 HUGE smiles and sassiness and attitude EVERYWHERE!!!

 She even had kissy lips and winks thrown in there and I was DYING!!! :0  :)

 She was just soooooo happy to be doing her dance and having her mom there too! :)

We watched her do her routine and then did some warm~ups together and learned a little dance togethere and then performed them for the other girls and moms that were there. I have to admit that I had a BLAST and Kambriella and I ROCKED the dance floor! ;)  ;)

 I LOVE my cute, sweet, sassy little ball of fire!!!

 She makes EVERYTHING fun!!!

 After we finished up dance class. I was going to take Kambriella on a dinner date and end my fast, but instead I got a very alarming phone call from home saying that little Kesslyn had an accident. Carew had put her in her high chair that attaches to the kitchen counter, and somehow the whole thing came falling down with her buckled inside of it. :(  :( 

I tried to stay calm and said a prayer the whole way home and found her looking white as a ghost and completely shook up. Not knowing for sure the extent of her fall and where she might have hit as she landed, I immediately decided to take her to the emergency room. 

After having all of the experiences with Kambriella's fall when she was a baby I was NOT about to take any chances with wondering if she would be OK. I left the kids telling them to say a special prayer for their baby sister and then we were off. We arrived at the ER around 8 where I KNEW Kesslyn was going to be OK. She quickly began acting like herself and wanted to run around, explore, and play.

The doctors and nurses checked her out and thought she looked like she was doing great. They found no sign of injury anywhere so I'm just assuming that all of those angels that are in my home MUST have broken her fall. I pray DAILY for the company of those angels and I KNOW that they are there...

The doctor gave Kesslyn a slushy to drink because they wanted to get something in her stomach to see if she would throw up or not...(that is one of the biggest signs of a head injury)

I can tease now that I know she's OK and say that was a $250 slushy, the most expensive one I will EVER buy! (ER co~pay ;) After seeing that she was doing so well we were discharged and sent home around 11:00. Kesslyn was exhausted and so was I. I went through the Wendy's drive through and got myself a baked potato since I hadn't eaten all day, ended my fast and said a VERY long and heartfelt humble prayer...both for Dave and his family, and for mine. I am so grateful that Kesslyn is OK and that prayers are heard and answered.

Each day that comes will bring things that we cannot expect or imagine, but one thing is for sure...we can EXPECT and PLAN ON Heavenly Father and the Comforter to be there every step of the way, IF we simply ask in faith.

Dallin's 14th Birthday!

 Happy 14th birthday Dallin!!! 

YOU my sweet boy are growing into an amazing young man and I love you so much! 

After celebrating with friends the night before, I was particularly looking forward to the Sabbath Day AND the treat of celebrating Dallin's birthday on a Sunday as well! 

After our early meetings, Clint and I were home for a "before church" celebration of opening presents...

 We surprised Dallin with a new bike! 

We also got him a Camelbak water back pack for using while hiking in the mountains, running his 5 K's, or riding his new bike of course! ;) We also got him some water sock shoes that he wanted and a tube of Green Slime to keep his tires from popping. He was sooo happy with all of his gifts!

 We arrived at church early and took some pictures because today really is a special day! 

Not only is Dallin 14 years old today, but he was also ordained to be a Teacher.

 It was also Lindsey Gill's birthday who was speaking at her mission farewell, AND Dallin was the youth speaker and got to speak with her!!! YES, both of these amazing kids got to speak in sacrament meeting for their birthdays!!! :) They both did an amazing job! 

 Another thing that made this day so special was the fact that one of Dallin's best friends, Autumn Holt also played the musical number during sacrament meeting! It was also one of my very favorite arrangements of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" by Paul Cardall. Autumn did such an amazing job, it sounded like Paul himself was playing the piano...it was like a special birthday present for Dallin. :)

 After church was over our family gathered in the Bishop's office for Dallin's ordination...

 And Clint's sweet dad a.k.a. the GREAT Grandpa Trickett ;) showed up to be a part of the ordination! What a sweet surprise and  what an expression of love from a grandfather to a grandson. I don't know very many people who will drive for 2 hours, just to be somewhere to support someone for 15 minutes. But we are blessed, and Dallin feels special because his grandpa Trickett will! He will do ANYTHING for his family! Look at these handsome priesthood holders... Carew, Clint, Dallin, and Grandpa Trickett

After we got home from church we had to hurry and get Carew off to Mission prep class, and Clint on the road to St. George for the Sheriffs Convention for work.

Dallin quickly changed out of his church clothes and tried on ALL of his birthday gear. :)

Camelbak, check! Sock shoes, check! New bike, check!

This is one happy 14 year old boy...:)

 Of course Kambriella had to join him. :)

 And sweet Kesslyn too. :)

 Goodbye my sweet! We went from 5 days of vacation in a tropical paradise, to 4 days of separation and cold weather...(at least for me...You will be in the warm sunny weather though!;)

 Waving goodbye as he drives away...;(  ;(  ;(

 As soon as Carew got home from mission prep class we headed to Bountiful to Tiffany and Colby's house where they so lovingly helped us to celebrate Dallin's birthday!

We were joined by Tiffany's family, Kierra and Riley, my mom, and my brother Shane. We ate steak and chicken, rolls, salad, baked potatoes, broccoli, and watermelon.

And of course we ate the best birthday cake EVER with some ice cream for dessert!

We played a few games and visited...(nothing like a competitive game of Spoons! ;)

 Kesslyn of course got passed around, loved on, mugged on, smooched on, and followed her Aunt Tiffany EVERYWHERE!!! She simply pointed to whatever she wanted and Voila! It was magically hers!!! ;)

 She also worked on the continual "stealing of Colby's heart" :)

He loves her so much! They have a lot in common too...a love of meats and treats! ;)

And reading books. ;)  ;)

Other than Clint having to leave, it was the PERECT Sabbath Day! 

Once again I just HAVE to say that I am one lucky girl and I LOVE my family!!! 

So glad they're mine FOREVER!!!

A Fun Saturday

 Today was a day of fun! Tumbling and breakfast with the missionaries...

a quick but enjoyable stroll around Gardener Village with some of the sweethearts in my family...My mother in law Gerry, my beautiful angel daughter Kierra, my sweet niece Desiree, and sisters Cherie and Ginger...celebrating Cherie's birthday the right way!!! :)

 After Gardener Village it was off to the grocery store and the bank, then off to Gavin's basketball game where they won 43-20!!! Gavin was 100% on his free throws and scored 10 points!

Then we headed home and worked on mission papers for Carew, made a birthday cake for Dallin and had afew of his friends over for food, fun, and games for the night...

Aaannddd...

It was The General Women's Broadcast of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

One of the most inspiring, uplifting, and wonderful meetings of the year...

I listened to the conference in my kitchen from the computer since today I needed to be home with these little ones so that Dallin could  have the opportunity to celebrate with his friends...

I fed Kesslyn some pizza and then bathed her in the kitchen sink while I listened intently to the conference...

It's amazing how much joy and satisfaction I felt listening as I also tended to my little baby...

I felt a swelling of joy quite hard to put into words...

 "Lean not unto thine own understanding, read my scriptures daily and pray more fervently..."

"I am a certain woman who can do so much good in the world...and the Holy Ghost can lead me, speak peace to me, and direct my actions, and bring continual comfort..." ~ these are just a few things that the Spirit whispered to me... but I also wondered how our dear prophet is doing. He was not there tonight and he is usually always there. I will say a special prayer for him tonight...

 Kesslyn scrubbed her baby piggies and waved out the kitchen window to every single bird that flew by or perched itself where she could see it...I love how little children have an appreciation for the simple things. :)

 Oh sing choirs of angels...

We are surrounded by sweet angels!

After the conference and dinner, Dallin's party and preparing for the Sabbath, I am ready to call it a night.

My sweetie is leaving for St. George tomorrow for a convention and will be gone for 3 days... ;(

I already miss him so I better go snuggle him. :)

Goodnight! 

 Good kids with some good good friends. :)

Rhett and Dallin :)

Goofball Dallin  :)

I LOVE this kid!!!