Look Who's Walking

Yesterday Andrew started taking steps.

As you can see, he really loves walking...

Since he was so happy there, we thought we'd try bribing...

We tried to delay it, but we guess he had to learn eventually.

Few Thoughts on Dad's Funeral

There really isn't a great way of ever expressing the pain and sadness of losing my Dad. He was simply the best and I wish I could be more like him. I'm trying everyday, but it sure is hard and I'm not anywhere close to being as Christ-like and loving, patient, service-minded, without guile...the list goes on and on...as he is.

We all miss him terribly.

I remember the sweet moments Lexie and Joseph shared with him in the hospital. Them drawing sweet pictures for him (esp. Lexie of the Nativity on the magnadoodle). The night Rick and I got to spend with him there. I wish we had come just a bit sooner.  The kids and I showed up at the hospital right after he passed. We brought Mom up. When we walked into the room, the Spirit there was so strong. Even the kids instantly became reverent. It was so bittersweet. He passed listening to "Chariots of Fire", that reminded me of Joseph's thoughts on how he wants to die (weird huh,) but Grandpa did that, so I guess not too strange.

I remember telling the kids when we went in as a family and said goodbye that Dad's mouth isn't working so well to talk back to you but his ears work so well to hear you, his brain to understand and his heart to feel and show you that he loves you. I remember saying goodbye and bearing my testimony of family to him and thanking him for being so wonderful and for being my dad and saying I love you.

The night before he died we had such a fun time as siblings and Mom all gathered around Dad's hospital bed and telling stories and memories. It was really special. And then Erik pulled out a recording of Dad that he put together from his history interview. He said we all had our chance to share memories of Dad, now it's Dad's turn to talk. And it was great. It was him talking about each of us and our names and just things about us. It was really sweet.

I'm grateful everyone got to be there, even Matthew. It was bittersweet that they were both released from their missions on the same day (same 24 hr period).

I have a CD of pictures from the funeral, I need to find it and put some pictures on here.

I've got the best family around and the best parents. Very grateful for them and for the gospel and the blessings of the sealing power so we can all be together forever.

Uncle Matthew

We had a really fun, quick visit with Uncle Matthew. Thanks for coming & making the kids laugh so much. Come back soon.

Haircuts For Everyone

We had a couple more firsts today-Lexie & Andrew had their first haircuts.

Before:

After:

Lexie was very excited to donate her hair to Locks of Love. Joseph was glad it was just a trim. Andrew was happy once we gave him a sucker.

Our Big Joy Schooler

Today was Joseph's first day of Joy School. He was so excited to go & had so much fun there.

His favorite parts were Show & Tell, listening to "Oh, Boy, I've Got Joy", & jumping on the trampoline. We can't believe how big all our kids are getting! We're very excited for all of them to learn so many great things this year.

Our Big One Year Old

Happy 1st Birthday, Andrew!

We love you so much!!

Our Big Kindergartner

Today was Lexie's first day of Kindergarten. She did a great job being dropped off at the school & was very brave. The best part was as she stood in line to go into the school she turned around and waved at Daddy with a big grin. Very cute.

On the way home from school she talked non-stop about all of her new friends & the fun things they did in school. Her favorite things about her first day were her teacher & playing with play-dough that changed colors.

My Dad

My father passed away this morning. We learned about two weeks ago that he had cancer. It shocked all of us at how quickly this happened. The grace, dignity, and humility in which he lived his life was evident all through the end. We were so blessed to be able to spend this last week with him and my family. The Lord's hand was evident through all of this. Amazingly, all 12 of his children were able to be together with him in his final hours (my little brother came home from his mission last night-long story). My father is truly the most Christlike man I have ever met. I am so grateful for his love and example to me. It's such a blessing to be able to say and mean that I have the best Dad in the world.

I will post more about this later, but you can read a little bit here and here about him.