into the arms of His love
Well, I made it through a very hard month. Thank you for all the love and support we received. I received many calls, texts, visits, gifts, flowers and prayers. I am glad to have the first year behind me and yet sad knowing my sweet Ryan has been gone so long. I shed many tears last month reliving what we had gone through the year before. It was hard, but necessary for me to heal. Our families came and spent the day with us on Mother's Day, the year mark. It was special to have them all join us for sacrament meeting. I really felt that even though it would be hard, we needed to attend church that day. Alex was asked to speak in sacrament and it was special to be able to hear his testimony. The night before we had went out to dinner with the kids and then went ice blocking. We also ate shakes at the cemetery and wrote on balloons and let them off. It still blows my mind that a year has gone by. I really think all of our family's injuries last year were in a way a blessing to keep our minds focused on something else and not our sadness.
Ryan's school held a small tribute in his memory on May 10th. Kids wore orange in his honor and 12 balloons were let off. Then the kids wrote messages in chalk on the sidewalk followed by drinking orange punch. It touched my heart that he would be remembered.
Speaking of remembering, thank you to all those who continue to wear orange in Ry's memory. On Mother's Day I noticed more orange than usual and that made me smile. I also want to thank those who visit his grave. It touches my heart to see things left there by others.
Memorial Day was beautiful at the cemetery with flowers everywhere. It's too bad it can't look that way all year.
Primary Children's Hospital held a memorial service for all the kids that passed away in 2012 on May 19th. It was a short and beautiful program consisting of a talk, poem and a few songs. Then a video was played with a picture and a few words about the children that had passed away. The tears flowed. It was also sad seeing others hurting as well because I totally knew what they were going through. Later doves were released outside. We were told that the doves knew their way home just as our sweet children did as well. I was surprised that almost half the kids that had passed away were teenagers. It made me think something wonderful must be going on up in heaven to need so many of our special children. I can't wait to someday know exactly what.
The kids are out of school. Yeah. I think I am just excited as them. I am so ready to be able to sleep in and not have to worry about homework anymore.
Ethan graduated from preschool and will go another year before he starts kindergarten.
The sixth graders did the dunk tank on field day. I got her dunked with my second shot. Awesome!!
Last week Mike worked in California. The three little ones and I drove out with him to spend the week. I figured, what the heck it's practically a free trip. Alex stayed up in Hyde Park and had fun hanging out with family, fishing, riding motorcycles and vegging. Poor Mike had to work a normal week while the kids and I soaked up the sun at the pool. We swam for about 5 hours a day. I even read an entire book. I can actually say this was one of the best vacations ever. It was truly a relaxing vacation and I think I actually caught up on some lost sleep as well. Thank goodness for sunscreen and dark skinned kids so no one burned too much which was nice. The kids did sleep very well each night considering they were totally wiped from all their swimming. My sister lived an hour away and it was so great to see her and her kids. The cousins all had so much fun together.
Jaime and Adam snorkeling- they were naturals
tired after a fun week in California
Alex having fun dirt biking
So a busy and sad month is behind us. I hope we have a very fun and eventless summer and are able to relax and just enjoy life together as a family and make many more wonderful memories together.
I am so thankful for all my blessings and especially try to count them when I am feeling sad and that life is unfair. Regardless of all that has happened, we have so much to thank our Father in Heaven for. We have had so many answers to prayers and so many miracles, for even a tiny miracle is still a miracle. And some day we will be blessed beyond measure. I just want to end with a scripture that helped me through a hard month. I came across it one night while reading with the kids. It struck me hard in a good way and provided me the comfort I needed at the time. It can apply to anyone and so I'd like to share it.
D&C 98:1-3 "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament--the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord."
I am so thankful for the scriptures and the many times they have provided me with comfort and answer to my prayers without me ever even looking directly for the answers-- small miracles.
Ethan wore these to preschool. He told me they were to protect his head.
Adam loves cantaloupe. He ate practically the entire melon in few minutes top.
Alex helped clip the chickens and ducks wings. They keep getting out and Ethan has already rescued a duck and a chicken from the dogs. Aren't they lucky he moved fast.
I need to frame this. Our poor cat had a ton of matted fur. He kept pulling it our so we decided to have my sister-in-law shave him. He looked totally hilarious. We kept his head and tail fluffy. He looks like a strange little lion.
