Oh JUNE is here ALREADY!

I know, I know.....Its the middle of June already and I am just now posting. What a CRAZY, heartbreaking, wonderful, and fun month it has already been. Here is the rundown of how things have gone over the past few weeks, on Tuesday morning June 5, 2012 I received a call from my Uncle Ken, and my mom telling me that Grandma Sally has made a turn for the worst. That she would soon be passing away. Natalie was already at preschool, I was out running errands. So I headed back to Grain Valley, picked Natalie up from school a little early. The girls and I headed to Blue River nursing home. When we arrived, several family members were sitting out by her door and others were in spending there final moments with Grandma. As I walked into the room with Natalie and Eva. My mom, cousin Stacey and my Uncle Steve were sitting next to her bed holding her hands. She was incoherent and didn't speak. It was quite heartbreaking to see. But I needed and wanted to be there for her final moments. Natalie and Eva did really good while in the room. Natalie wanted to hold her hand and give her a hug. What a sweet girl. We stayed for several hours, went had lunch at Uncle Ken's house, the girls napped, and then we went back to say our Goodbye's. We left and headed home around 4. Grandma Sally passed at 6 pm. Even though, we were prepared, it was still hard to see her go, Heaven definitely gained another beautiful angel. I can only imagine how happy she was to finally see her sweet Mother Ida again and I am sure that she was happy to be able to hold her sweet baby Sarah in her arms again. She would always tell me not to be say or worry about her when she passes away. She would say that she wanted me to be happy because she was with her mother and her sweet baby again. I am happy but its heartbreaking at the same time. I am going to miss going on temple trips with her, taking her out to lunch with the girls, and taking her shoe shopping. I am so blessed and very grateful for these moments that we had with her. I am grateful for the times our girls had with her. What a sweet blessing. She will definitely be missed. I will always treasure her stories, the times I spent with her, her sweet giggle, and the moments that she spent with our girls.

Thursday June 7, 2012 My cousin Terra, her mom MaryAnn (Grandma's sister) cousin Robin flew in from Utah. Thursday night, I drove over to spend time with them. What fun it was so sit and visit with them.

 Friday June 8, 2012 My mom and I, along with the Relief Society presidency were able to have the honor of dressing Grandma Sally. What a honor. When my mom asked if I would come and help. I didn't think that I could do it. I prayed about it. I asked for strength and comfort. Dressing grandma was definitely an honor and I will forever treasure the time I had doing that. Grandma Sally looked so beautiful and elegant all dressed in white. After dressing her, mom and I went to a late breakfast at Corner Cafe in Liberty. Then she dropped me off at the Kansas City Temple with Robin, MaryAnn and Terra. It was such a neat experience to attend the temple with them. I really needed to feel of the spirit and know that everything will be okay. After the temple, they drove me to my parents house to get my car. Terra came back with me to our house. The girls LOVED her! Seriously....they don't usually warm up to people that quick but they did with Terra. So sweet! I changed clothes, and got the girls ready. We headed out to do some shopping. We went to Gordman's and Charming Charlie (Terra had never been there). She loved it! We each bought a new wallet. Then we headed to Uncle Ken's for dinner and a good time with family. What fun we had! My mom and sister Trina were there too. It was so good spend time with family and friends.

  


Saturday June 9, 2012 Grandma's ward provided a luncheon for our family. It was really nice to sit and relax with family before the viewing and the funeral services. The viewing and funeral services were PERFECT! It was what Grandma would have wanted. So proud of my husband for reading the Eulogy. He did it wonderfully. They had all the Grandkids and Great-Grandkids sing "You are my sunshine". Natalie was a little shy but she did it. After the services, we headed back over to Uncle Ken's for a yummy lasagna dinner. The girls sure loved playing outside with all the kids. It was so nice to end our night with family time.

Sunday June 10, 2012 We drove out to Garnett Kansas for her gravesite services. We arrived a little earlier than everyone else. We were able to walk around the cemetery, leave flowers for some of our ancestors that are buried there. Her gravesite service was beautiful! They even let us watch as the lowered the vault and casket into the ground. As we were watching, I was able to capture a sweet picture of Natalie sitting on Daddy's shoulders. She made a sad face. Later, I learned that she had made the sad face because she and Daddy were talking about Grandma. She wanted to see her again, he told her that she is in heaven now. She replied, "I miss her". What a sweet moment. The drive back to Uncle Ken's was nice and peaceful. The girls slept most of the way. My mom and I were able to talk about the memories of Grandma. It was very sweet. So grateful for hubby for being willing to drive trip for mom. So that she wouldn't have too. As this heartbreaking, crazy, but wonderful week has come to a close. I am so PROUD of our girls for being such wonderful troopers. They've had to eat snacks, lunch and even take naps in the car over the past week. They really held it together. Sure do love those sweet girls.
 


Monday June 11, 2012 Terra, the girls and I all went to the Kansas City Zoo. What fun we had! We even rode the Sky Rail. Something that I normally wouldn't do. Terra talked me into it. :) She rode with Natalie and I rode with Eva. What fun! The girls did great. I really enjoyed spending time with my sweet cousin Terra. I am so glad that she was finally able to meet Natalie and Eva. I have sure missed spending time with her. It was definitely nice to chat with her over the past few days.

We sure miss Grandma Sally! We will always love her dearly.