Tuesday, November 18, 2014

My Grandma

My Grandma died 2 weeks ago today. One week ago I returned from her funeral, but I am going to back up a little bit further. I can't tell you all the details of how my Grandma died, but way back in August when we had our family reunion my Grandma was really thin. I really didn't think that much of it probably because my grandparents don't lead on about anything. Well, come September-October she started getting really week. She went to see the doctor sometime in October and was diagnosed with cancer. When I first heard, I really wanted my Grandma to get better to fight it like she did last time, but as time went on she just kept getting weaker. At first I was really mad. I couldn't understand why she was not fighting to stay alive, why was she giving up. Then I don't really know how it happened except that it did after counseling with Gaupo about death, dying, cancer, and giving up; much prayer and scripture study, and finally humbling myself to the will of the Lord. It didn't happen all at once, it happened little by little, but my heart softened and I knew that whatever the Lord's will was even if it was to take my Grandma back that it would be okay. That doesn't mean that the day I found out that the cancer was all over and that it would just be week before she left that I didn't cry or still want her to get better, but I was comforted. I was comforted by the scriptures that talk about joy, peace and rest. I learned from the scriptures about obedience, and love. I was not alone.

The tender mercies didn't stop with just the softening of my heart. I was very blessed to be able to video chat with my Grandma. I got to tell her I loved her and I got to hear that she loved me. It was a miracle because my Grandma and technology are like mighty foes, and we even had some troubles getting it set up. I was sure that while we were setting it up she would just say, "Augh, technology! Just don't worry about it." She didn't though, she hung on and I got to see and talk to her for the last time. I had a really good cry that day. My kids were kind of looking at me like "what is wrong with you."

To make a story kind of short, my Grandma died about 2 weeks later (I think). It was Nov. 14. My mom called that morning and Gaupo answered my phone, so that lucky guy got to deliver the news to me. Honestly, I had been waiting for so long (or so it seemed) I kind of knew it before he told me. I didn't cry right then like I always thought I would. I did cry when I was alone in the shower and had time to think. I did cry and I was sad, but at the same time so glad that my Grandma didn't have to suffer anymore. She was back home.

Her funeral was the following Saturday. Which actually was great timing, because Veteran's Day was Tuesday and since that is a Holiday at the Library we didn't have to rush and only had to take a day a half of vacation. Anyway, my brother and his family flew in from Texas on Thursday. Then they left for the funeral on Friday morning and we left after Gaupo got out of the Lab. We drove the whole way to Swanlake. Its not too bad if you start in the morning, but oh buddy when it lasts till 11:00 at night it seems like FOREVER!! Anyway, we finally arrived and sacked out for the night. We got up in the morning and the girls got to play with their Grandma and her toys. We had breakfast and then went to the viewing.

Everyone was kind of worried about this and rightfully so. I had not been to a viewing since I was about eight and it was super traumatic. It was the viewing of my Nana and I took one look at her in her casket and lost it, for like the whole funeral, and have really had no desire to go to another one since. However, I willing went to this one and I am glad I did. My Grandma looked very at peace. I know she wasn't in her body that wasn't hard to tell, but it was different I had such a better understanding of it all. I knew that she was at peace. I don't know it was just good. I still didn't hang around long because that is not my favorite thing and all my cousins were around. Anyway, they gathered all us cousins together so we could practice the Hymn we were going to sing--Abide With Me Tis Eventide. Then the great-grandkids and a couple of grandkids practiced their song I Love to See the Temple. Then we visited until they called us to the family prayer. My Grandpa offered it, making it seem that much more like one big family prayer. Then we went to the funeral. It was a wonderful celebration of her life. My Aunt Shara gave a sketch of her life, my Uncle John gave a talk and I remember it was good, but I don't remember exactly what he said. Then my Grandma's brother Joe talked. They were all really good. Kylee joined the great-grandchildren in singing  and did a great job. I enjoyed singing the with my cousins. It was kind of emotional but very good. Then we went to the graveside. It was my very first. We got to do a floral tribute, which I really liked. What happened was all the honorary pallbearers and pallbearers placed their boutonniere on the casket, the granddaughters got a carnation to put on it, then then her children got to put a rose on it. It was just a nice way to say "until we meet again."

Then after visiting we headed to the Virginia church house for the luncheon. Wholly Molley that tiny ward put on a huge dinner. We had enough leftover to do a linger longer for the whole ward the next day. Anyway, we visited had dinner, and visited. We enjoyed being all together. I wish there were more places where we could all gather together. I wish there was a way to have dinner all together where you could talk to everyone, but such is not the case and it was very nice to do it in smaller groups.

That night it was just me and my siblings. We just visited and enjoyed one another. We got baths and showers and prepared for Sunday.

Sunday, we went to Virginia Ward. It was great to be surrounded by people who knew and loved my Grandma. The meetings were good and the linger longer afterwards was great. I got to visit with the Tafts. They were so funny. I was informed I should get my concealed weapons license and carry a gun. They are such a funny couple. Anyway, after eating we went home, put the kids down for a nap and enjoyed a wonderful Sunday.We did have to say goodbye to the Kara, Seth, Kitt, and Klaire. That was hard.

Monday, was just more being together. Although, that night my Uncle John and Aunt Karen came up for dinner, Family Home Evening, and games. It was a fun day and night. I think we all just enjoyed not having to be alone.

Tuesday we had to leave, but luckily I got to take Jack and Lindsay and their family home with me. However, our heater in the car was broken so I froze on the way home. My kids were fine and Gaupo said he was fine, but I was cold, it could have been because I had no socks or shoes on. Also, we decided to go by way of Ogden Canyon and got pulled over for going 76 in a 65. AHHHHH, that is annoying and nerve racking. We have pretty much decided that for us, that way is not faster and takes more gas so we will probably never do it again. Anyway, we got home and that night we just pretty much settled in.

Wednesday, we hung out. Had breakfast, tried to do a workout, and went to the Library. That afternoon Lindsay and I snuck off to Hancock Fabrics and the Grocery store. That night we made brownies and played games.

Thursday, I went back to Hancock Fabrics to get some patterns that went on sale. We visited, and let the kids play. During naps Jack and Lindsay returned their rental car while I watched most of the kids. That night we had the missionaries over for dinner. I changed up the tradition and we had Julia's Beef Rice Casserole. (I had to have something gluten free) Then had ice cream for dessert. That night we played video games and chatted.

Friday, we mainly hung around. Although, I did take our car into the mechanic. It turns out that it is just barely ready today and we had to replace the heater core. But it works, Yeah! Anyway, it was fun to have Jack go with me. I really enjoyed having that small moment of one-on-one time with him. I wanted to take the kids somewhere to play, but the weather was crazy cold and I only one car. So, we just hung around. That night we played board games and had peanut butter popcorn, except the popcorn popper broke, so we made half peanut butter popcorn, half peanut butter cereal and nuts. It was actually really tasty.

Saturday, Kylee woke up sick. So, Gaupo went to clean the church by himself because Kylee wanted her mom. When he got back I took Jack and Lindsay to the airport. It was really hard to let them go. I loved having them and their kids around. I loved playing games together, talking, and not being alone. I think saying goodbye also made the reality of my Grandma passing away set in a little more fully. In any case, I really didn't want to let them go home, but I did. I loved having this family at my house for four extra days. When I got home, it was snowing like crazy, we had lunch and put the kids down for naps. Then it was pretty normal. I prepared my lesson that evening and then went to bed.

Sunday Kylee was still sick. So, we took her just to sacrament meeting. I stayed and taught my lesson, and Gaupo had to miss teaching primary and getting set apart in his new calling as 2nd Counselor in the Elders quorum. Other than sick kids we had a great Sunday. I even got my favorite meal of biscuits and gravy for dinner.

Since then its just been cleaning stuff up and getting outdoors if the sun shines long enough to even hint the air might be warm.

Props to you, if you hung in all the way to here. It was a long post, but I really needed to document my feelings and the funeral of my Grandma.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my Grandma. Yep, she loves me and I love her.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Halloween Week 2014

Wow, what a week. It was fun, crazy, and just wonderful.  We kicked off the food festivities  on Sunday. We had to keep it simple because I had Young Women in Excellence that night. With simpleness in mind we had Worms on a Bun. It was really good of course. All it is, is hotdogs cut in quarters, boiled, then smothered in BBQ Sauce. It is delicious.

Worms on a Bun.
 Monday we enjoyed Snake Bite Calzones. This one was one of my favorites  because Kylee got to help "paint" the snake. It was very tasty and fun to make. I had some extra dough leftover from the snake so I also made some "bones." I have wanted to try it for a few years now, and it was fun. More time consuming than I thought but still fun. Other than dinner, we just finished up the October Friend  for Family Home Evening, and Gaupo and I watched Earnest Scared Stupid.

Kylee painting.

Our Snake.

Tuesday, was kind of crazy because Guapo has to work at night, so once again we did something simple. We made Jack-O-Lantern Turkey Burgers.  They were actually really good and my kids LOVED them. I even got Kylee to eat on for leftovers at lunch the next day. It was really simple but really good. I think that other than the food Tuesday was pretty normal. That morning we also made pancakes in the shape of pumpkins and made jello worms.

Pumpkin shaped pancakes.

Jello Worms.

Jack-O-Lantern Turkey burgers.
Wednesday was the Library's trick-or-treat Storytime. I dressed the girl's up. Tia went as a ballerina and Kylee went as a princess, but she just wore a different crown than she normally does. (yes, Kylee wears a crown everyday almost all day) She was already wearing her favorite skirt, so I didn't think she would change, but it was still fun. So, we went to storytime and listened to some books, did a couple of rhymes, and then 'paraded' our the library and over to the city offices where they have some of the staff out with candy and they let the kids walk around and go trick-or-treating. It was really fun and Kylee did good. Although, at one lady instead of saying trick-or-treat she said "I need more candy." I was kind of embarrassed, but the lady just said, "I think we can help with that," and laughed. That night we had Chilli Filled Coffin. This one was actually really fun, but I did cheat I used a cornbread mix and cans of Chilli. It was very tasty and fun. That night I had a stake combined beehive activity. They played get-to-know-you games and had a blast.

Chilli filled Coffin.
Thursday, we had Mummies and Moldy Dressing. I think this was probably my favorite meal of the week. It was just really tasty. It was time consuming to roll all the "mummies" but it was good. These "mummies" had black beans, corn, cilantro, green chili, and some spices in them. It was really good. That night we watched Hocus Pocus which I have to say is probably the creepiest Halloween movie we have.

Mummies and Moldy Dressing.
Friday was fun. We had Trick-Or-Treat turnovers for dinner, and made "homemade rootbeer." I took the girls trick-or-treating to our neighbors homes and everyone really enjoyed seeing them. Gaupo was supposed to take them, but Friday morning I found standing water in my dishwasher, so he was working on trying to fix it. He worked on it by himself until about 8 and then our friend Bro. B came over till about 9 and the verdict came to we need a new dishwasher. Well, by the time we got everything cleaned up, it was late. Gaupo was working on closing and so we didn't watch our Halloween movie, we just went to bed. At least I did, Gaupo still had to finish closing.

Trick-Or-Treat Turnovers.

Kylee playing in the smoke of dry ice.

All dressed up for trick-or-treating.
Saturday was jam packed. Gaupo prepped a lot of the yard for winter. I took Kylee and found a dishwasher. We went to the scratch and dent store here in town. I like going there because they will actually negotiate with you. So, I went in thinking I would just get a cheap dishwasher, but as I was shopping I decided to get a nicer one. It is black on the outside, stainless steel interior, with top controls. At this point I don't know how it works, but it looks great. On Saturday, Gaupo and Bro. B also took a look at the brakes on the Honda. They are all fine. They have been kind of squeaky so we checked it out. That afternoon, we did dishes, figured out a way to take out the dishwasher and still have hot water in the sink, and went to a quinceanera. Going to the quinceanera was really interesting. There was delicious Mexican food, and then they did the traditional things like father-daughter dance, changing of the shoes, first drink of "Champagne," Sparkling Cider in this case, presentation of the doll, and then a couple of dances that we couldn't stay for. I was very fascinated and had a great time.

Sunday we kicked fall off with our Autumn Casserole, church, and daylight savings time ending. It was a really great week.