Luke+Great Grandma+Great Aunt

Aunt Marsha was taking Grandma back to the eye doctor after her cornea replacement and they stopped by to meet Luke. Love these special moments and memories.

Will's Baptism Day

Will had been waiting patiently for his baptism day. We had postponed it from November when my Grandma Miller had started to really decline. He had been looking forward to this day, and we had spent a lot of time at home talking about baptism and the covenants we make with our Heavenly Father. Will had some very special people come to his baptism, and some of them traveled pretty far just to be there. His Great Grandma Mary Hitchcock, Two of his Great Aunts, Terry and his cousin Mariah, and Great Aunt Marsha and Uncle Mike. His Aunt Julee and Uncle Dan drove all the way from VA to be there, and they brought two of his favorite cousin friends Ceseley and Natalie.

 A couple weeks before his special day, Will decided who he would like to speak and what music he would like to sing. I made a program in photoshop (I had never done that before, big learning curve for me!) and he approved it. :) He also asked me to make a few of his favorite cookies to share with everyone for after the baptism, devils food cookies, lemon chunk, and chocolate chip. 

It was a simple and beautiful service. Will's feet popped up and he had to be immersed twice--something he had said he hoped wouldn't happen. His Nonna spoke on why it's important to be baptized and that when are we are promising to do our best to be like Jesus and help others. And his Pa talked about how it feels when the Holy Ghost talks to us and how we can recognize those good feelings and warnings and know who those promptings are coming from. When the Primary President gave Will a chocolate bar with a red pencil scripture marking pencil. She asked if he knew why we marked our scriptures. Jack raised his hand and he said, "So you know which ones you've read, and you never read them again."  It was pretty cute and funny. 

 We are so proud of him and the good young boy that he is. I know the Lord is proud of him too. Will is very caring and wants everyone to be happy and safe. He is almost always smiling and he really does try very hard to do his best and make good choices. Love him to pieces!

 Love these two best of friends

Brothers

This one just makes me smile. I love how Will is holding Sam's face to look at the camera.

Thanksgiving

Wish Grandma could have been in the picture with us! Love these people.

Till We Meet Again

 

Grandma Miller

My incredible Grandma Miller passed away early this morning. Her soul and heart were two of the most beautiful proofs of goodness and love that I've ever been able to witness. She was always thoughtful kind and more than generous with her love and what she would do for others and give of herself. She lived a long and beautiful life and has left quite a legacy of love. Over the last several years her life has become more of one to be endured and not lived. When I received the text from my mom this morning, with tears in my eyes, I knelt down and offered my sincere thanks that she had finally been able to be released from her body. I will miss her so, and it's hard to imagine not going to visit her in her peaceful home anymore. Or hearing her tell me that she loves me and that I'm special. But I have hope that one day I will be able to feel her gentle arms around me and her voice reminding me that I am special.

August 2013

Another Year Older

Hard to believe I turned 32 this year. Wowza. I kept thinking I was only turning 31.

I made plans to get my haircut loooong overdue and to go and visit my Grandma Miller. I hadn't been able to get down to see her since she had fallen and been to the hospital and put in a nursing home on Halloween. She was asleep when I first got there so Mom and I went to the funeral home to see about some things, but when they weren't open we decided to get a bite to eat while we waited for Grandma to wake up.

I had a nice lunch with Mom at Gondola's while she caught me up on everything happening with G'ma. After we'd eaten and visited for awhile we went back to the Nursing Home. Sometime after we got there, Grandma woke up. I got to sit by her and talk to her about different things. She made sure I knew I was special and that Patrick and the boys were special too. My Aunt Agnes told her it was my birthday and asked if they should sing Happy Birthday to me. Grandma as weak as I've ever seen her agreed and they all sang to me, even Grandma. Mom recorded it. We were all in tears as we listened to her tender voice struggle to sing the words. That recording is so precious and priceless to me. I'm so very happy I was able to spend time with her today, to tell her I love her and feel her soft gentle arms and hands...this will probably be the last time on this Earth. So happy I could spend a short little while with her today.

I headed home around 4 and when I got home we ate some chicken tortilla soup that I had put in the crock pot before I'd left that morning. While I was gone, the boys made me a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. After our dinner they sang to me and we each had a slice. I am one lucky girl to have so much love in my life.

Nonna Visit

Mom came for a quick overnight visit. She always brings good stuff with her when she comes. This time she brought Vinca Minor for our landscaping. Joe placed an order for me at Scott Bros Nursery.  It was on the house thanks to Joyce's kindness and generosity. I wanted something to help finish things off but wanted things that are low as to not hide the stone. Mom suggested Vinca Minor. Can't wait till it's all filled in, and hopefully we'll have some pretty blooms next Spring.

Mom doing one of the things she loves best. Can't help but accommodate her.

After the planting we had a little birthday party for Nonna. The boys sang and then helped Nonna eat her big extra large cookie.  These boys love their Nonna!!

Great Grandmas (& Pa's) Part 3

We spent New Year's day with Patrick's grandparents. We rarely get to seem them because they live about 2 hours away, and Will has had such a strict schedule in the past that added to the difficulty. It was nice visiting with them. And good to see them feeling so well. Last year when we visited they were in much poorer health. Granny Jones is just the sweetest. We woke up early and made the drive while the kids snacked on sausage balls, powdered doughnuts, and mandarin oranges. They thought that was fantastic. It took me back to the long trips we would take when I was little. Mom would almost always make sausage balls. One of the things I love about being a mom, is getting to share with my kids things I loved when I was little.

At Grandma's

Brett gave Layla is old electric guitar. The kids were all pretty fascinated with it. It made Layla quiet the popular one with it.  Jack has learned how to get around with his splints. It is pretty pitiful but very hilarious to watch him drag himself across the floor. Poor guy.