Summer Apple Camp with friends

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Check out the completed Video Jess made:

http://youtu.be/QLr4pAi_HOU

Our dear Neighbor

We mourn the loss of our dear neighbor, Ron Pearce. He passed away this morning in his sleep in the care of hospice. He battled melanoma cancer for 4 years. He spent much of that time as a participant of new studies and drugs to treat the disease at MD Anderson in Houston. His wife is so proud of him for his efforts to further the cure and treatment of this deadly cancer.

Jessie had another fever last night. It has been 36 days since the last fever. We were advised to seek the advice of an immunologist.

Liz Sherwood Funeral

As it turned out, Hunter's football pick up is NEXT Thursday morning. I learned this after driving to his school at 6:30 AM only to find an EMPTY parking lot! Here we go with the anxious mistakes of having 4 children in 4 different schools. Did I mention that Jessie will go to pre-school this year--2 days a week!  Sob Sob!!!!!!

Liz's funeral was inspiring and humorous to say the least. Her husband and 4 grown children, very accomplished and talented, spoke about a funny moment that they remembered about their Mom and completed the story, "I was my Mom's favorite." Liz's only son stated, "I taught my Mom to text while she was in the hospital--"You are my FAVORITE"! He also described that his mom found joy in watching children fall down at skating rinks, although if they were hurt, she'd dash to their relief. 

Her youngest daughter (22) sang a beautiful song---WITHOUT breaking down. A true professional--American Idol someday??????--from Overland Park, KS!!!!! (This is the girl that will marry my good friend's son---NEXT WEEK in the Nauvoo Temple.)

Her husband also brought the crowd to tears and not from sorrow! From LAUGHTER! He stated that his wife never enjoyed the spotlight and said that she did not want people to talk about HER at HER funeral--"You are the one dying, Liz" I think we have to." But he honored her wishes and kept it short. The service was over in one hour-the BEST spent hour of my week.

I was amazed at the strength these individuals had to speak at their Mom's funeral and do such an inspiring job. Since her diagnosis one year ago, they must have anticipated this day and  been preparing to honor their mother by telling her STORY!

Our Stake President, 1st Counselor, and Liz's bishop also did an outstanding job presenting the plan of salvation and other thoughtful quotes.

One of the most touching moments for me was getting to sing in the Stake YW choir--as Liz requested. The girls were radiant and the song was magically composed by a man in our Stake for a Girl's Camp. I cried the entire time. I'm not much of a singer so I am sure no one missed my voice.

How blessed I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have such empowered role models to guide through times of trial.

"When we're connected to others, we become better people." R.Pausch

I CAN"T SLEEP

It is 11 PM and I am still awake anticipating getting up at 6 AM to go to Hunter's Middle School to pick up his football pads and then to the funeral of a dear sister in our stake who lost her battle with adrenal cancer.

My awakened state may be because of the cherry/vanilla diet dr. pepper that I consumed at 7 pm OR the fact that I have to sleep in Jessie's bed. After playing at the petting zoo for an hour at 5 PM , Jelly fell asleep in the car and I transported her carefully to my bed to sleep. SHE IS STILL ASLEEP! Brad and I decided to leave her there all night. Thus, I am sleeping in Jess's bed so as to NOT wake her.

I recently finished reading the "Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch--he died of cancer a week ago. The final pages had me sobbing uncontrollably as they were dedicated to Randy's 3 young children. I used an ORANGE highlighter to remind myself of the many inspiring quotes he coined and will share them as necessary. The sentiments he shared are life-changing to all those who are still on this earth. 

The last several months, I have tried to honor his legacy and "live in the moment." When I do, I  enjoy the day so much more and truly feel I am blessed beyond measure. A swelling of emotion occurs:  

--when I look at my beautiful Jessie, talking and formulating her own thoughts and phrases:  

--when I put Carson to bed at night and we have our own 1/2 hour private time. He tells me stories--sometimes I fall asleep--but he still tells them anyway:

--when Hunter shows compassion for his siblings and cares for them and their needs

--when my 16-year-old flirt comes home with stories of his "Social time" with friends and spiritual experiences that shape his character

--when Brad bonds with his boys through music and movies that only BOYS can understand!

I have many faults and our family is by no means perfect or even harmonious at times, but they are so much apart of fulfilling my dreams. How blessed I am to still be here to see them grow, change, and mature! 

While I deeply mourn for those who are left to bare the pain of death, I would hope they would continue to LIVE as their loved ones CAN'T!