A Visit to St. George

I had the opportunity to fly to Vegas and meet my Dad and then drive to St. George to see my Grandpa. This is hard and I really don't know what to say...but since this blog is also my semi-journal, I will speak from the heart.

My Grandpa has always refused to place Grandma in a home. After she started to get a little dementia, they moved from Lone Pine, CA where they raised their seven children and where we all played as kids, and moved to St. George in a little town home next to the temple in St. George (around 5 years ago). Grandpa has always been an independent man and so when his health was really failing and he called my Aunt CiCi to come out and help (she's an RN) we knew it was bad. Cancer had gotten into his bloodstream and the doctor didn't give him more than a week. So Dad and I met in Vegas and then drove to St. George to see him for the last time. There had already been a few cases where his breathing and heartbeat slowed so much they thought he wouldn't make it before we got there.

All the family around him kept reassuring him that we were on our way and to hold on and he did. We got there and it was the last time he opened his eyes and tried to speak. After that evening he slipped into a semi-coma and didn't open his eyes again, but struggled breathing. We gathered around him and had a family prayer of release. He hung on until the following afternoon when he drew his last breath with Grandma laying and cuddling beside him and all his loved ones around his bed singing his favorite hymns.

I can honestly say that this was probably one of the hardest things to go through that I have ever experienced in my life. It was so beautiful to have all of us gathered there singing to him and I know he would've wanted to go that way--without all the I.V and computers hooked up to him in a strange hospital room. He had his sweetheart of 68 years, some of his children and grandchildren by his side. The spirit was so strong when he passed as we sang. I know he would've wanted to go this way. My Grandpa was a good man and lived a good righteous life--it's neat that the last check he wrote that same week was one for tithing (even though "technically" he has already payed tithing on his retirement back when he was putting it away), but he faithfully wrote a check out every month he got some of it.

A really hard part of this trip was leaving BAiley and Chris. I love them so much--Chris has been amazing and has stayed with Bailey since Thursday. He has been so sweet and supportive. It would've been hard having BAiley there while I was struggling with this and while I sat by his side for a day and a night. I also was then able to spend a couple nights sleeping with and comforting my Grandma. I am so thankful for the gospel and the knowledge we have that families are together forever and not just until death. Without knowing this I could not even imagine what it would be like to lose a loved one.

The funeral was beautiful, short and sweet. My dad spoke and the Gradnchildren sang "Families Can Be Together Forever." It has been a hard week and emotionally draining, but I'm so grateful that I was able to go. I am now waiting in the LasVEgas airport to go home and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to see Chris and little Bailey--I love them so much!

I unfortunately didn't get many pictures, but here are a few:

My cousin's sweet newborn babygirl--Eva


Shalyce's adorable little boy--Karter


Grandpa, the morning before he passed

Another "Catch Up" Post

As mentioned before, things have been busy--but they're finally winding down a bit and it's time for a breather! School has ended for me for the summer and so I have a little break before starting up again at the end of August. Chris is studying his bummy off for qualifying exams this September and working hard in the lab. Bailey is still as active as ever--and LOVES the new place. (or more like the location) Our back porch literally opens up to the park and community center and so there are always kids running about playing and Bailey loves to play with them! She gets so exhausted now from all her play that she has been going down by 8:30pm every night (since it's summer) and waking up around 8am! It has been awesome! LOL Poor thing is teething--but it's about time since she only has 5 teeth still! We've been expecting more for some time now;)
It has been sad with lots of families moving out of the ward and I feel like I'm losing some good friends...but with another school year starting there will be lots more families moving in too. I love the ward--the members are so awesome and I've made so many good friends:) I love my callings as a RS teacher and the choir accompanist. And of course I can't wait for BAiley to go to nursery next month--can you believe she is almost 18months next month? CRAZY! She is growing up so fast and I'm at that stage where people look at me like, "she's so cute--when are you having the next one?" LOL Maybe soon, maybe not...whenever I feel that "desire" I guess (which I haven't felt at all yet--she keeps me so busy!), and I'm almost done with my BA in music and so it would be nice to have that out of thew way first:) So we'll see....anyways, here are a bunch of pictures of the past month...Carissa and Josh's wedding, the new apartment, summer adventures, etc etc--enjoy!

While in Medford for the wedding, Chris and I got to celebrate our anniversary (4 years!) We left Bailey overnight with Nana, papa and the boys and set off to Ashland for a night of romance;) We went to a really nice restaurant on the creek in Ashland and got Filet Mignon (my favorite!) and then went to see Henry VIII at the Shakespeare Festival. The outdoor Elizabethan theatre was amazing--i had been once before in high school, but can appreciate it much more now! This was our first overnighter away from Bailey and it went great!




the wedding was beautiful! Mom got Bailey and I dresses for the wedding with her "colors". I wish I had gotten more pics--we have none of the reception, but we'll be sure to post those later when mom gets the professional ones back. We are so happy for Josh and Carissa! (put mouse on the pictures for a caption:)

While in Medford, we also got to go to a barnyard and pet all the animals! Bailey was a little scared at first because the animals are used to being fed and so they attack right away! But she warmed up and LOVED the pony ride. This was her second time riding a pony and she doesn't really smile or laugh, but "thinks" and contemplates what she's doing. She has always been this way--you can't tell but she is having a great time and even pet the pony:) she was very sad when it was over and she had to get off!

Sorry--there were so many pictures that I thought it would take up less time and space to post slideshows! Coming attractions--pictures of the new apartment and more reception/wedding pics:)