A Year Has Quickly Passed

A year ago yesterday, April 14th, 2010, my mom left this earth to join her husband and other family members in Heaven.  I had prayed and prayed that she would go before me and another prayer was answered.  She passed away peacefully at about 11:35 p.m.  I miss and think about her every day.  Robert remembered the day and called and visited with me.  He was upset and we talked about how fortunate and blessed we were to be raised by the parents that we had.  I stayed busy making "Mormon Muffins" and honey butter and preparing a presentation for 6th Ward RS on family history and genealogy.  I bet Mom was just a smiling down on me during that one.  How many years she tried to get me interested in that!!  I took the muffins and butter to Downata this morning in memory of Mom and her love of that wonderful warm water.  I am sure that if there is anything about this earth life that she misses in Heaven, it is water aerobics at Downata.  So we remembered her this morning with a muffin or two.  So here are a few pictures to enjoy.  Love you, Mom!!

Mom and me making our yearly trip to the cemetary to decorate Dad's grave in 2009.

 Enjoying the 2009 July 4th parade in front of the nursing home in Malad.

 Patty and Sandy with Mom about a month before her death.

 All of us crowding around trying to get a good picture.

Kathy, Sandy, Patty, Mom, Teauna, Kenzie, Bradey, Mike

 A visit by Peter and his family following conference.

Robert, Peter, Jonathon, Lyndsey, Jo, Ethan and Mom

Mom and Flat Stanley on the day she left us.

What I wouldn't give to hold her hand just one more time!!

 Practicing the flag ceremony for Mom's service.

Brad, Evvie, Bradey, Makenzie, Cole, Brenna, Shawn

 Beautiful bouqets we delivered to the grave site after the service.

 Mom's urn that I painted.  She loved it and said she couldn't have done better herself.

 We gave up waiting for warm weather and buried her urn of ashes in rain and snow.

Br-r-r-r-r-r!!

I had a new headstone made and installed with both names and correct information.

Turned out very nice.

Small gathering for the burial.

Robert, Kathy, Brad, Bradey, Shawn, Teauna, Makenzie, Cole

It was so cold, but I wanted her to be there for Memorial Day and it was just around the corner.

Brad dedicated the grave and President Gunter presided.

I am grateful for eternity.  And for memories and photographs of so many years of good life lived.  We are indeed so very blessed.

A Bunch of Stuff

I was invited, and gladly accepted, an invitation to ride along and assist with a little shopping spree that the residents of the nursing home were going on.  I just love the care they give there and the special attention and fun activities they do to keep the residents content.  Let me tell you what a big deal it is to have a Family Dollar in Malad!!  It was our ultimate destination.  But first, we stopped at Burger King and everyone ordered their burgers and drinks, then it was off to the store.  We all had a good time just looking around the little mini Walmart-type store.  It was an enjoyable middle-of-the-day break.  Just love spending time with EldaMae.

EldaMae and Kathy on the bus and bound for Burger King

 

EldaMae modeling a most fashionable hat!!

 

Back home and unloading.

Grandparent's Day is a big deal in Malad.  The elementary students prepare a great Spring program and work on school displays to get ready for this event.  The halls are so crowded with grandparents!!  We enjoyed the morning with Cole and Brenna in their classrooms, in the halls, watching the program in the auditorium, and sharing a school lunch with them to end it all.  It was so much fun and they did such a good job on their projects and presentations.  And, it was Brenna's birthday, so we got to sing "Happy Birthday" to her in front of her class.  She was a little embarrassed, but that's okay.  That's what we're for.

 Cole gave us his presentation on cows.  It was so darn cute!!

 Cole, Grandpa Brad, and Grandma Kathy

 We learned a lot about the Great Seal of Idaho from Brenna's presentation.

 Photo op with both in Brenna's class.  Aren't they just so cute??

 Brenna standing beneath her "tear art" hanging in the hall.

 Cole and his art project.

Yes, Brenna's face really is dirty.  The 4th graders performed songs from Oliver and they were dressed as orphans complete with the smudged faces.  It was a fun day and we are certainly blessed to live close enough to participate in this kind of thing.  Thanks, Cole and Brenna, for asking us.

Later, after a little recuperation, we went over to Shawn's to help Brenna and Shawn celebrate their birthdays.  Brook served brownies and ice cream -- a favorite of everyone's I think.  Shawn was gone to Guard in Boise during his birthday, so we brought both he and Brenna their gifts.  Shawn got a fillet knife so he can fillet those fish he loves to catch.  And Brenna, well, we went with clothes.  And a gift receipt, just in case.  However, I thought they were so cute, just not sure they would fit.  She is so teeny!!  Evidently, her mom and dad surprised her with a bowling party after school so she had a good birthday all day long.

 Hope he keeps that in a safe place!!

 Olivia (cousin), Brenna, Cole, Dane, Brook, Evvie

Brenna with her clothes.  They look awful large held up like that.

Spring break brought visitors to our house.  Teauna was in the middle of moving, so Bradey and Makenzie came and spent five days with us.  Makenzie and I cooked in some little silicone muffin cups and Bradey got to help dig a foundation.  Some vacation, huh?  It sure was quiet at our house when they left.  Then, Tea and kids came back and spent Sunday with us watching conference and eating good food.  We went for a ride and while out and about, I made a detour to the cemetery to show Tea our headstone that came in and was installed.  It is so pretty!!  I love it!!  I don't think she is so excited about it, but she will thank me some day.  And, thank you, Mom.  Your life insurance paid for it and the plots it rests on.  Gotcha!!

 Makenzie using the hand mixer for the first time.  She did a great job!!

Taste testing.

Bradey helping Grandpa chain the equipment down for transport to a job.  When did he get so BIG??

Well, that's pretty much the last month in a nutshell.  Just one other thing I would mention.  The cancer diagnosis of a good friend and neighbor.  She is younger that me and has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  She has a huge fight on her hands and I hope to be of some support as she was for me in my time of need.  GO!  FIGHT!  WIN!!  No longer just a school fight song, but a life fight song as well.  Love ya, Treena . . .