Monday, May 18, 2009

Fun at the water park


While Paul was on vacation this last week we did a couple of things. We went to the water park one night and just enjoyed the cool weather.It's starting to get to hot to enjoy. This Cam just wandering around. He is at one of my favorite ages. He will be 2 next month. I can hardly believe he is that old. He reminds me a lot of Alan, but in Connor's body! He does the same kind of things that Alan used to do. He has this gomer smile that Alan had. It really makes me laugh!

These guys were there too! They really had a good time. Cam could not keep up with them. His legs just aren't long enough yet.

Cam really does not like water and so Paul took him around to touch the water. After awhile he started to like it and would touch it with it with his feet. The funniest thing happened. So randomly this water feature will turn off for a few minutes and you can walk around in it and not get wet. Well Paul decided to walk to the middle. All of a sudden the water turned on and he got soaked. I so wish I could have gotten a picture of it. It made me laugh so hard! Well we had a lot of fun there. I'm glad Paul was able to go with us. I kind of like him! He's fun to have around!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Cora's birthday

Cora's birthday was a very good day for our family. For those of you that don't know our Cora, she was born on May 11, 2000 with a fatal birth defect. We knew before she was born that should would not survive. She lived for about an hour and a half. It was an amazing day that Paul & I will never forget. A lot of emotions went into that day. For her birthday Paul and I try to go to the temple. We usually do an endowment session, but Paul wanted to do sealings instead. I am so glad that he did because it was an amazing experience. We ended up sealing daughters to parents. We didn't plan it that way it's just what needed to be done. As a parent many of you would probably agree that you worry about your children no matter where they are. If they aren't with you, you just have a worry in the back of your mind that makes you want to know that they are ok. Even if they are with someone you trust with your whole heart. My prayers were answered that day in the temple and I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves his children enough to give them undeniable answers to righteous requests. We had an unforgettable event happen and for that I am extremely grateful to my Heavenly Father and for his love.
That night for dinner we went and picked up some Subway and Jimmy Johns (for me) and went out to Cora's grave at Tonaquint Cemetery. We have made it a tradition to go out there with the whole family and just sit and talk about her and what she would be doing at this age. We got her some white roses and a Happy Birthday balloon. When we found out about Cora's birth defect we had the unfortunate task of picking a burial plot. With Tonaquint being completley empty because it was so new we pretty much were able to choose any plot that we wanted. We chose one that is located near a Fruitless Mulberry tree. At the house that I grew up in we had a huge one in our front yard. I climbed that tree all the time. It just seemed right to bury her by the same kind of tree. I think it was a comfort thing for us. Every year we have the kids climb the tree. Cam was able to get up there this year


We had a really good time with the kids at the cemetery. I believe with all my heart that you can feel her spirit out there and I know the kids can feel it. It's the one place that all of us can go to remember her and get to feel of her love. We miss her immensely, but we know that through the Plan of Salvation that our Heavenly Father and Christ prepared for us we will be with her again. It is our responsibility to now live as righteous as possible so that we can be with her again! Thank you to all of you that showed your love and support to our family on this day. Whether it was by posts on Facebook, babysitting so that we could go to the temple, by leaving a plant at her grave or just by thinking of us and remembering Cora. We have wonderful friends and family that are truly amazing. We are a very blessed family!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Cora!

Today was our daughter Cora's birthday. We had a very spiritual and fun day. We miss her very much and eagerly await our reunion. Thanks to all of you who show our family support and love. Once I get pictures loaded up I will post about our day.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Happy Birthday MOM!

(L to R) Russ, Jason, Joanna, Paul, Heather, Trini, Timmy, Dad, Mom, Christie, Moss, Bonnie, Aaron

We had the coolest experience on Saturday! Paul asked my mom what she wanted for her birthday. Her response was "I just want to go to the temple with my family". Well we decided to make it happen. With some rearranging of some schedules we were able to pull it off. We wanted to surprise her with it too. I called and invited her and my dad to go to the temple with Paul and I. She said that it sounded fun and that she really wanted to go with the whole family, but she knew Russ and Bonnie were going to be out of town. I was so glad to hear her say that because I knew she wouldn't be expecting us all to be there. So Paul and I met my parents outside the temple. This is the cool part. We had it all arranged to have everyone(that would be my 3 sisters with 3 brother-in-laws and my 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law, my dad and of course Paul) but me be in the chapel all dressed in white. I didn't see the expression on her face, but I could tell by her loud gasp and her body language that she was so surprised and extremely grateful at what she saw. I think at first she saw everyone but Russell. Then she saw him and she completely lost it. You have to understand this is the first time all of us have been to the temple together. There were no empty seats! My mom has prayed and waited for this day for a very long time and it finally happened. It was a testimony builder to me about being faithful and patient. It was an absolutely amazing experience! I am so grateful that we were all able to be there. All I could think about the whole time was back to when we were all growing up and what a pain it was to be the oldest of 6 kids. But now I really wouldn't want it to be any other way. I have a great love for my family. I am so grateful that we all live here and are involved in each others lives and have a hand in helping raise each others families. We are extremely blessed. I really think this is one birthday that she will remember for a very long time! I know I will never forget it!

After the Temple we went to Pizza Factory for lunch. Russ' friend Nicole joined us. We were so glad that she could be there too! Trini had to go to work and we really missed her. So my mom turned 52 and that would explain the pizza.

My brother-in-law Jason shares the same birthday with my mom. He turned 27. Funny thing about Jason is that he is a triplet, so he doesn't even get to have his very own special day in our family! I hope he had a good one anyways!
Paul and I are pretty much gomers! We had a good time with my family. I really hope we can have more days like this! Thank you everyone for making yourselves available so that my mom could have a great birthday! I really do have a cool family!