"Go To the Cemetery"

3 years ago today my sweet daddy passed away, and my mom lost her very best friend..

.but only for a time. 

Because they are sealed together for eternity they will one day be reunited and get to be together eternally. I can't wait for that day! :)

Yesterday also marked 4 months since Sheri's husband passed away unexpectedly...

I have learned so much from her and my mom about "enduring well."

Yesterday as we all gathered at church I knew it would be particularly hard for Sheri.

Since it was the 5th Sunday we got to combine with everyone for the 3rd hour lesson and I invited Sheri to sit with me, although I knew that she would probably prefer to sit closer to the doors in case a quick exit was needed...

I watched her walk along the back of the chapel to find a seat, and then watched her exit as there were no empty seats right by the doors...

I knew that she was feeling lost and alone and that I couldn't just let her leave and be by herself.

I asked Clint for the car keys and went after her. As I was walking outside to my car my initial thought was to just go to her house and be with her...just sit and talk so that she wouldn't have to be alone...BUT as I headed towards the car the Holy Ghost whispered to me in an instant ever so softly, "Go to the cemetery."

So, I got in my car, turned right instead of left, and headed to the cemetery.

The entire cemetery was empty until I rounded the last corner towards where Dave is buried...and sure enough, there was Sheri.

I pulled up to her, got out of my car, and heard the words from her mouth, 

 "How did you know where to find me?"

I told her that God knew her and wanted me to come and be with her to love her and support her and that the Holy Ghost had told me to come there...

We cried and talked and cried some more and I told Sheri over and over again how I wished so badly that I could take her pain away, but that only the Savior could do that...and He already has.

Thank goodness for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, for eternal families, and for family and friends who are there to help us through the sometimes dark journey of mortality.

If we stay close to the Savior and each other, and let His light in, we will never never have to endure the hard times alone.

We can lift each other, and love each other, and "endure it well."

Family Is Where It's At!

 Dallin, Gavin, Xaxton, and some of their other cousins had a fun game day planned with Clint's brother (Uncle Curt), so we headed to the Front Runner Station first thing in the morning to get them up to Ogden where Curt was waiting to pick them up! I thought it was so cute as I was taking them there how they kept saying, "We're going on an adventure!"

They hopped on the train and they were off! It's fun to be with your cousins and do fun things like this in the summer! Have fun boys! :)

 As soon as I got home, I was happy to see the little ones, and even more happy when Kesslyn all on her own without prompting wanted to climb up on the potty! I held her from falling in ;) and she pushed and pushed and ended up satisfied with a "toot" and nothing else. :)

 What a great first try Kesslyn!!!

 (What I thought was even cuter was how excited Kambriella was for her baby sister! Kambriella assisted her throughout the rest of the day if she ever wanted to try again...maybe SHE will be the one to potty train Kesslyn for me! ;)

 After we were all ready for the day, my main mission was to accomplish as much as possible on Carew's "to do" list for his mission prep. We went to try to get him a flu shot (which we will have to go back for closer to when he leaves), we worked on getting him a chipped credit card to be used in Italy, we gave him a haircut and went to get more passport photos taken since he will need them for getting an international driver's license, 

and we even stopped for a lunch break at Zupa's which was fun. :)

 We played the "ask any question to Carew" game and had fun teasing him. :) We found out (what I already knew) that Carew is a VERY easy going , laid back type of guy. His favorite food: All of it! His favorite restaurant: All of them! 

He's just happy to be with people he loves anytime and anywhere. :)

 Kesslyn must have been starving because she ate 2 chicken strips, 1 and a half grilled cheese sandwiches, 2 chocolate covered strawberries, and some cheesecake too! Then when she was finished eating she got down off her chair and started dancing to the music in the restaurant...

which led to her running in circles around the table. 

 But, each time she would run around the table, she would bonk her head on a different corner of one of the surrounding tables! And each time she would get bonked she would cry and come to me for comfort...(which I NEVER mind having to cuddle one of my kids! ;) Silly little girl!

 Also my mom came to visit and to stay the night with us before she heads back to Mesquite today. She has been here for a whole month and it's been so nice to get to see her more often...

 And EVERYONE loves it when Grandma comes to stay! Kesslyn always wants to be held and loved (which makes grandma feel so happy too;)...Clint and I took her out to dinner with us and enjoyed visiting too. I'm going to miss her, but know that we will get to see her again soon.

She's been a rock for me my whole life...Isn't she beautiful? :)

Once again, FAMILY is where it's at! 

Im tellin' ya! We have the BEST one ever and I LOVE them all!!!

Happy Saturday!

Have Fun and Serve

After being gone for 2 days while helping Kierra and Riley make their move to Colorado, I thought it was a good idea to take all the kids (plus my mom and three cousins Xaxton, Madyson, and Leighton) to the Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point!

I had never been there before, but with the annual pass that I bought I figured we better get to enjoying these places!

The kids LOVED it!!

All of the climbing, jumping, crawling, exploring, playing, creating, and imagining that you could ask for all in one place...and of course one of their favorites was being "the star of the show!" They LOVED acting on the stage and putting on puppet shows for my mom and I...and I LOVED watching them do so!

The rest of my day was cram packed with service. :)

I was able to help Carew in some mission prep, Kierra with some moving details like closing out her old bank account, took dinner to Brad and Susan since Brad finally got to come home from the hospital yesterday, and sat and visited with Sheri twice yesterday because she was having a particularly hard day...just like every other day she has missing her sweetheart.

On one visit I took Kesslyn with me, and even though Sheri was emotional and crying, Kesslyn decided to start a pillow fight with Sheri, which made Sheri smile and laugh. :)

Then, I went back again later with my sweet mom who is a widow herself and knows some of what Sheri is feeling...they really can be a support to each other and it was good to see them lifting each other in a way that I could not.

I'm grateful for my family, and grateful to be able to serve, because when you can forget about yourself and go out and do things for others, you really are HAPPY. :)

Utah To Colorado

 Early Tuesday morning we grabbed this crew and headed to Provo to help Kierra and Riley load up their UHAUL for their big move to Colorado!

I think there may have been a little mix of emotions in the air because everyone was happy to help and excited for Kierra and Riley, but all a little hesitant at the same time...

 Once everything was loaded, we all hugged and kissed, had a family prayer, and then said our last goodbye's...but not really...it was more like "see ya later" because that's what we know it will be, even though we are all going to miss these 2 like crazy!

 Clint loaded up the suburban with all the members of the packing crew (except me) and headed back to Salt Lake while Riley, Kierra, and I all hopped in a car to start the drive to Colorado!

Riley drove the moving truck, Kierra drove their 4Runner, and I drove the Volkswagon.

Our caravan was off! :)

 We left Provo at about 9:15 a.m.

Stopped at the gas station, headed to Riley's grandma Gerri's (yes, Kierra now has 2 grandma Gerry's!) house to gather a few of his last belongings, then drove and drove and drove...

It was me who first needed a bathroom break, but I still thought I did pretty good since we made it almost half way before we had to make that stop! 

(I honestly don't think I have ever peed for so long in my life!!!;)

 ANYWAYS... :) we got back in the cars and drove to the halfway point and then stopped for gas and a subway sandwich for some food. It was a good little break, and then we were off once again. We drove and drove and drove until Kierra needed to stop for a potty break, but this time we were actually IN Colorado! It was quite a dull drive through Wyoming, but honestly, 

THE MINUTE we crossed the border into Colorado there was suddenly green trees and mountains and a completely different landscape! 

It was soooo refreshing and beautiful and a welcome sight for our eyes...

We finally arrived at Riley's parents home in Lone Tree at about 7:45 p.m. We were welcomed by his mom Susan, his sister~in~law Tara and her 4 kids, and the elders quorum that quickly helped us get the trailer unloaded. Then, we all got to sit around and visit over some yummy lasagna that Riley's mom had made for us. Their home was beautiful and I felt warmly welcomed there. :)

It really makes me so happy that Kierra has 2 families to love her and I KNOW they both do and always will. After we visited for a bit we were all ready for bed. It had been a long day of driving and it was so nice to relax and get a good night's sleep. :) In the morning Susan made us Puffy Pancakes (the same thing that we have and call German pancakes) for breakfast with some fruit and then took us on a little hike to see some of the views around the area that they live. It was so good to walk around in the fresh air after our long day of driving the day before, AND it was very comforting and therapeutic for me to be able to see the area where Kierra and Riley will be living. Now, when I think about them and what they are doing, or when they try to explain something to me, I will have a better visual picture in my mind which ALWAYS helps a mom. :)

After our little morning hike we took a quick drive to the Denver temple...it was beautiful!

Kierra and Riley are lucky in that aspect too, that they will still live pretty close to a temple! (Which may not always be the case depending on where the military may send them to live...)

After we were done taking our quick trip to see the sights we headed back to their home where it was time to get ready to head to the airport to go back home.

 I of course HAD to take one more picture with them...and Riley didn't mind AT ALL getting to mug on his girl one more time;)...Aren't they just so cute??!! :)

 ...and I of course had to try and be just like Riley...because I KNEW that if I did a funny pose, that I would LAUGH and be happy, and NOT cry when it was time to say  good~bye. Which we did. :)

We laughed and hugged and got in the car where they drove me to the airport, we hugged, and said our "see ya later's" and I DID NOT CRY!!! I waved and walked away...then stopped just inside the doors and turned back around and waved through the window some more...blew and caught some kisses, and turned back around and headed home.

 I know that Heavenly Father is giving me strength and blessing me with an understanding of his plan of happiness, the one that Kierra and Riley are fulfilling...I have always wanted my children to live and love the gospel and to be able to do so with a kind and loving companion by their side...married in the temple and creating their own "happily forever after." THAT is what Kierra and Riley are doing and it makes me so so happy. Life will not always be easy, but as long as you keep Christ in the center of your lives and put each other first before yourselves, 

then you WILL be happy all along the way.

Kierra and Riley, good luck to you on your new journey in life! May you be able to accomplish ALL of your dreams hand in hand, and following in the Savior's footsteps. 

I love you both so very much and am soooo happy that I got to enjoy this one last trip with you!

You are always in my heart and in my prayers...all my love to you...always!!!

Saying Goodbye...

"Thank You"

 On Sunday, Kierra and Riley  came to me with a gift and 2 letters. 

It was a framed Family Proclamation with updated pictures in it of ALL my children, including my newest son Riley. :)

They said they wanted to give us a gift to express their gratitude for us helping them, and honestly when I saw it, I really didn't know what to say...

My sweet daughter took my most prized possession (my family) and put it together with one of my other most prized possessions (the teachings of Jesus Christ, in particular this sacred document) and gave it to us as a gift of gratitude (one of the things I feel most strongly about expressing)...

This was the most PERFECT gift in so many ways, and really showed me how thoughtful and grateful they really are. Thank YOU Kierra and Riley for living your lives and making the right choices that have brought you where you are today...

I promise you that if you continue to ALWAYS put the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and EACH OTHER 1st in your lives, you WILL BE HAPPY!!! 

When I read the letters by myself in my room I may or may not have cried...

but just a little bit...if I did. :) 

I love you both so much and pray that Heavenly Father will continue to bless and strengthen you each day. Thank you for your time and your love and for this sweet, priceless gift. 

I LOVE it and will cherish it FOREVER!!! :)

Our Last Sunday

These sweet boys serve us each week by preparing, passing, and cleaning up the sacrament. They are happy to do it and I love them for it. They probably will never know just how much their service means to me and everyone in our ward family. :)

Kierra and Riley were with us for their last Sunday here in Utah! They are moving on Tuesday and they are so excited to begin their new life and adventure together, and I couldn't be happier for them!

Kierra and Riley didn't know it, but we had planned a SURPRISE going away party for them too!

We had Clint's family and some of my family meet at Tiffany and Colby's house! We played a few games and had a few laughs, (and a few tears from little girls that got clobbered by big boys that showed no mercy during Red-Rover! I won't mention any names Clint;)

Some people play for fun, and some play ONLY to WIN!!! (Clint;)

Here is the master BBQ griller/smoker himself with our brother in law Blake.. Colby did an outstanding job on the brisket, pork loin, chicken, and hot dogs! Thanks Colby!

All the cousins had fun eating around the fire pit...everyone's all smiles!

Especially Kierra and Riley, Kesslyn, Lexi, and Raz...

We are sure blessed to have such loving and supportive family! I LOVE them all!!!

It was also Blake and Cherie's little girl Brier's birthday so we were sure to celebrate her special day too!

                         Happy 10th birthday Brier! We LOVE you!!!

I hope all of your wishes come true! :)

I KNOW that Kierra and Riley's are! :) They love being married and are so happy LIVING their "happily forever after!"

Some of us on the other hand are going to have a little bit of a harder time letting go and saying goodbye...

Like our sweet Lexi... ; (

All of the love and emotion that gets wrapped up in heartache and sadness is just a direct reflection of how much LOVE is felt in the heart...

...and these two favorite cousins LOVE each other.

They have gone through a lot together and have pretty much been best friends...

...and still will be, just a little farther away! I LOVE you girls and it makes me so happy that you love each other so much too!!!

Fulfilling a Dream

Clint has always had a dream of buying a cabin...

Somewhere where we can escape as a family and enjoy peace, quiet, beauty, and time with each other and family. Yesterday we went to look at one about an hour and half from our house...

It needs a lot of work and some TLC, but it sits on 10 acres of land, trees, and meadow type field that heads straight back to the mountain.

We'll see what he decides to do with it...if he decides to get it or not... but either way, it really doesn't matter to me. I love being with that sweet man no matter where we are! 

AND...no matter here nor there, cabin or home...

we are not "finding the happy life,"  we are MAKING it!!! :)

(I just LOVE this quote! ;)