Easter Eve

Wes seemed sick the night before so we weren't sure if we were going to go out, but he seemed better by later in the morning.  We started out by visiting the Easter Bunny at our neighborhood grocery store.  Wes was excited to see him, but then felt a little unsure when we got close.  Still we had fun collecting balloons, string cheese, chocolate milk, and whatnot from around the store.

Then we headed off to Baby Animal Days at the American Wes Heritage Center.  I had really wanted to go last year, but my morning sickness prevented it.  So I was extra excited for this year.  We had been planning on going on Friday, but it was snowing like crazy.  I was surprised at how warm and sunny the next day was.
Brynn needed a hat, but we only had her brother's hat.  She was dressed all in blue but had ruffles all over her clothes.  She was smiling and flirting with everyone on the wagon ride.  I felt the need to explain her clothes.  The collective oh and chuckle makes mew think everyone was wondering.

Wesley's favorite part was the train ride and petting a lamb.  All in all we had lots of fun.  I think this may become a fun little tradition.

Down Again

We headed back down to spend time with family and attend my grandmother's funeral.

I must admit that having two small children is an adjustment for me.  I love it, wouldn't trade it, but just to do the basic day to day things take the whole day.  Add packing, traveling, and sleepless nights, and boy did I feel so tired.

My brother was able to get leave got to home just in time to visit my grandmother one last time.

Brynn was excited to meet her uncle.

He brought Wes a belated Christmas gift.  Brynn enjoyed it, too.

Brynn always full of new tricks she spent the time showing off her newly learned skills of raspberry blowing, eating her foot, and jumping (with the support of Mommy).

Even though the reason we were together was a sad one, we still had to keep it up beat for the kids.  So we headed off to the aquarium one day.  I think Grandma would be glad we had fun as a family.  I miss the days when we would have brought her with us.

The kids had a blast.  Brynn was totally amazed.

 Being a parent is such an interesting balance.  Trying to help them understand.  Being so happy and so sad at the same time.  We were talking to Wes about Great Grandma going to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus.  We did the little lesson with the glove on your hand that represents the body.  Wes sat and thought for a moment then said, "Dead...like the buggies and the beetles?"  I told him yes, but we are sad about Great Grandma and not the bugs.  He replied, "The cats not sad about bugs either."  Then he asked if bugs go to Heaven.  I wasn't sure how to answer this.  My idea of Heaven does not include bugs, but I don't think we will be deprived of things we love in there either.  Wes loves bugs.  I told him I didn't know but they might be.  Wes also asked if bugs get resurrected.  I told him I do not know.  He was so genuinely sweet and curious.  It was a sad thing for me to talk about but at the same time I was really trying not to laugh.  I really think Heavenly Father helped me to keep it together.  I always want my children to feel comfortable asking me questions.

I love the sweet innocence of children.

The services were beautiful, and it was nice to see extended family.  I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge that death is not the end, but that we can live together forever.

Grandma and Cousins

We went down in March to visit my Grandma Hood and Bret's side.  Bret didn't come with us because of work, but we still had fun.  We got to send some time with Aunt Lissy feeding ducks.  He was scared of the ducks at the beginning of the trip but started to warm up by the end.

Sunday we went to visit my grandmother.  I was so grateful to be able to see her one last time.  To thank her and let her know how much I love her.

Four generations.

Monday we went and hung out with the cousins because Bret's sister was down from Idaho.  It is the first time Wes has been with all his cousins since last July.  We went to the Bounce center and had a grand old time.

Wesley's cousins were so cute with him.  The older ones are all so sweet and helped him explore.

There are ten grandkids on my in-laws side with one more due in a couple of months.  It was so fun to be with them all, and they all got along fabulously.

My angle sleeping after two nights away from his own bed.  We were home for a couple of days before we went back down because my grandmother passes away.

Diggn' in the Dirt with Daddy

Much Ado About March

March came in like lamb instead of a lion.

Brynn's face in response to...

This...

Dirt and Milla-Rachel.  Three of his favorite things.

Trying out our new Sit N Stand Double Stroller Fusion for the first time.  Thanks to Bret's parents and our insurance company for the money for this.  The back seat comes off and it becomes a sit and stand stroller.  I love it

So sad and sweet.

Attempting to get pictures of Brynn in her blessing dress.

Wes needed his picture taken, too!

Enjoying a baby who smiles for the camera.

We finished up Wesley's in the March.  We still have work to do, but I feel like I can do it myself.  Wes tried Edamsme (we call them treasure beans) and really liked them.  He has refused to eat them since, but still it's progress.

A Privilege

I am grateful for the privilege of sticky hand prints on my backdoor.

Also, I am grateful for Windex.

A Long Goodbye

My amazing grandmother passed away on March 29th after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.  She has been such an example of strength, love, and beauty.  It has been so difficult to watch her slowly slip away the last few years.  Being so far I haven't been able to visit her as much as would like.  When I saw her on March 25th it was apparent the end was coming near.  I was amazed at how much her condition had deteriorated from when I had seen her in February.  She wasn't in great condition in the February.  During the visit she sitting with her eyes closed while the nurse patently and skillfully got her to eat.  I sat there stroking her hair and missing her so so much but feeling so grateful to still be with her.

I felt so bad that I wasn't able to visit her as much as I wanted this last year.  The two hour drive, toddler, pregnancy, morning sickness, and a new baby made it difficult.  Especially because it was so hard to go by myself because the other patients would surround my kids, ask to hold them, and there was one man who always seemed to be grabbing someone by the clothes and even got Wes once.  I didn't mind when the other patients thought we were their family visiting them.  I didn't mind saying "I love you, " back to them.  But they were in the memory care unit for a reason, and I had to be careful with my kids.  Still, I wish I had more time with her.  I really miss when we lived closer and easily visited her all the time.

I really miss my grandmother so much, but I am comforted by the fact that she is reunited with Heavenly Father, my grandfathers, and all who went before her.  She is free from pain and earthly cares.

My grandmother's life was so much more then her disease and so much longer then the last ten years.  When I think of childhood memories of my grandmother the first things that come to mind are feelings.  The way it felt to play in the leaves at the house my mom grew up in.  The cool air playing on her back porch of the house she later moved into.  The clean, fresh, loving atmosphere that surrounded her and everything she did.  I think of the sounds of birds and her voice.  The way she would hold my hands in hers.  Her smell.

My middle name, Kay, is after my grandmother.  I have always loved that.

Here I am with both of my grandmas.  I really really miss them, and it is still sometimes hard to believe they are gone.

So grateful I was able to get a four generations picture.

I made the red scarf in the picture for my grandmother when I was in college.  This last year she wore it all the time.  A few months ago my aunt sent me a text and let me know that my grandmother had been sitting and was kind of out of it, and then all of the sudden came back of a moment and told my aunt, "Steffy made this for me."  That meant so much to me because most of the time she didn't remember who I was, but I was also so grateful I was able to give her something that meant that much to her.  I hope it was a reminder to her of how much she was and is loved.

I love this picture of my grandma and grandpa.  It makes my heart happy.

I am so grateful to have this amazing woman for my grandmother.  I am grateful for the Gospel of Christ that comforts me with the knowledge we can be together again.