Semi-Annual Haircut

As akward as it is to take pictures of yourself, I had to do it so I could post a picture of my new haircut. Star cut off 6-7 inches and thinned my hair out a ton. I actually really like it.

Birthmother's Day

Birth Mother's Day is the Saturday before Mother's Day, so it falls on May 7th this year. As a member of the FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) Board, we are planning the Annual Birth Mother's Day Walk. It will he held on Saturday May 14th at the Provo High Track from 10am to Noon. Bring the whole family including kiddos to support adoption. Signs and Banners Welcome! Spread the word and come support Adoption!

Funeral Pics

This is how I prefer to remember grandma. This picture hangs in my picture wall in my house. My dad and I made cupcakes with Lavender frosting (a very significant color to my grandma, and now to us) with little white flowers on top for the luncheon the was held after the funeral. My dad was very proud of himself for making the flowers! Shelley, Grandma's best friend Wanda and I got to dress Grandma in her temple clothes before the viewing. Shelley did Grandma's hair and I painted her nails (anyone who know her knows that she would've been upset with no polish on!) Rick (Shelley's husband, Jourdyn's dad) drew this picture for my grandpa 2 Christmases ago. My grandpa wanted a picture of their family with the temple and God and Jesus in the background. The picture is amazing! We displayed it at the viewings/funeral. We also loved the pic of my grandma in her teens that was on the guest table. (also the little purple bird on the table has a sign about our pass along cards and our pass along cards underneath) Rick drew a portrait of my grandma a few days before the funeral that we displayed at the viewings/funeral. Shelley and I gathered pictures from our own houses and even found a stash of pictures at Grandma's house from when she was young. My Uncle Jimmy (Heidi's husband) made a video with Italian music and lots of pictures of grandma with friends and family. It was beautiful. Jimmy was so thoughtful! After the viewing and funeral, we went to the cemetery for the graveside services. The headstone isn't hers, hers goes at the other end of her casket. It was anoying to have to look at the "Snoke" the whole time though. This AMAZING violinist played during both viewings, at the funeral, and was the first one at the cemetery. When we arrived he was playing the most beautiful music. He played during the graveside services. When we drove away in the limo to go back to the luncheon at the church, it was so sweet to see that he stayed there after we were all gone and played songs just for grandma for a while. I really appreciated him! The pall bearers removed their corsages and put their flowers on the casket, then we passed out roses to others at the funeral that wanted to say their last goodbyes and put a rose on her casket. It was awesome to see how many people showed up to the funeral. Everyone was seated in the chapel and the family came in last following the casket. When we got into the chapel and saw that even the overflow at the back of the chapel was packed, my grandpa stopped walking and wept. My grandma was the most loving person and she touched so many people. Our whole family was there, except Jourdyn, who was there in spirit. She is serving a mission in Independence Missouri and she couldn't have lived her life in any different way that would make grandma more proud! Everybody that wanted to took a few final minutes. This is Megan, my grandma's first grandaughter, with her 2 daughters Brekyn and Daisy. Grandma was an only child, but she had 3 cousins, Donna, Elaine and Bonnie that she was very close to. The relief society was so good to our family. Meals were brought all week leading up to the funeral and the luncheon after the cemetery was perfect.

Tanner, Daisy & Hattie at the luncheon (Dayton and Lacy in the background)

Lilac Trees are Blooming

A few hours before my grandma left this world, we gathered around her bed and sang a song to her that she used to sing to us (still working on remembering all of the words since the ones she sang weren't the official words): "Lilac Trees are Blooming"

• Lilac trees are blooming in the garden by the gate


• Mammy in her little cabin door


• Curly headed picanniny coming home so late crying cuz his heart was sore


• All the other children with their skin so white and fair


• with him would never play


• so mammy in her lap took the weeping little chap


• and said in her kind old way


• ???????????


• Don't mind what the white folk say/do


• ??????????? Just stay in your own backyard

Love you Gram! Lilac will always remind me of you!