March: Sharing the News and Colorado

One of the biggest things that happened this month is that my grandma fell and was put in hospital. She wasn't progressing like she should have been, and it was back and forth a lot. The doctors would say that she wouldn't make it through the night, and then within a couple of weeks she was back at home. Then she took a turn again and ended up back in the hospital, where she passed away on March 28. Because of the Corona Virus Quarantine that was going on during this time, we weren't able to all get together for a funeral and celebrate her life. But we were able to watch from home while they videoed the burial and a program at the graveside.

This is what I wrote on Facebook after she passed away that helped me work through some of my feelings. My heart is heavy now, with grief at the passing of my grandma and also with love and gratitude for the family that she and my grandpa created. I'm so lucky to be a part of that family. My Grandma Shirley Faye is who I got my middle name from. I am proud and grateful to carry on her name and hope to be able to make her proud that we share that name. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. My earliest memories of her involve her cooking us delicious dinners, serving and loving others, and telling us how wonderful Texas is. There is a plate in her house that says, "If we're good, when we die we go to Texas." She was a southern belle through and through, with an independence and strength about her that could not be missed. She was married to my grandpa for 67 years, and their marriage is full of trust, love, and service. She raised her children to know and do what is right, and to keep their priorities straight. She loved God and served him throughout her life. As she got older and in more pain, she wasn't able to do the kind of service she was used to. So she adjusted and for years and years would buy a single carnation every week to give to someone she felt the Lord wanted blessed that week. I will always remember her strong testimony, her cold hands cupping my face to give me a kiss on the cheek, and her smile. Her eyes lit up when she saw you, and you felt like the most wonderful person in the world. You wanted to become who she already saw you as: the best version of yourself. This week I've been reflecting on her life and mine, and all I know is that I want to be more like her and make her proud of me. I love you Grandma!

Before she passed away, we were able to go and visit her in the hospital. She wasn't coherent and couldn't respond, but it was good to be able to see her and talk to her.

Henry and Della were so sweet and kept bringing her things when she was sick

Before Corona came in full force, we went with the Bartons to see Disney On Ice! I had gone with Henry and my mom once before, but this time they were both older and able to understand more of what was happening. Della's favorite part was Elsa singing Let it Go, and Henry covered his ears the whole time haha. Henry's favorite part was Moana or Aladdin.

Let it go!

Let it go haha.

Rusty's Granddad had a birthday on March 11, and people were all getting together to do a little party for him. We drove out to Colorado to see everyone! We had everyone there, which is pretty amazing! The kids loved playing with their cousins. It's fun to see them getting old enough that they remember our families and get excited about playing with them. We spent a lot of time hanging out and talking, and exploring some park. Rusty also had a lot of things to do for work, so he was gone for three of the days, only coming home at night.

Aunt Desi painted Kyra and Della's toenails and fingernails!

Granddad's Birthday Celebration!

We found a fun park to explore!

One day while Rusty was at work we went on a little hike to Mud Island with Kelsey and her kids. The kids loved playing in the mud and just exploring!

Another day Phyllis and I took the kids to the library for story time. They had a great time playing at the library and making some rabbit puppets. Afterwards we had a picnic at the park with Daddy and Grandma and played on the toys and saw the ducks!

The Corona Virus. So, this crazy thing happened and the whole Earth shut down. When we left to Colorado we knew things were not great, but the day we got back The Church shut down everything, Disneyland shut down, and state governors started ordering mandatory shut downs. Grocery stores were totally ransacked and people started getting scared. We were on lockdown until May 1, when we went to stage orange instead of red. I didn't leave the house for five weeks- and during that time my grandma passed away. It was a tough time for everyone involved.

St. Patrick's Day!  I love holidays and as the kids get older they only get more fun. We started with the night before setting a trap for leprechauns. Henry and Della were so excited about it! Then we had a fun breakfast and the kids got to see what the leprechauns left behind. Our last activity before lockdown was to go to Jessica's for dinner!

It was time to do the Baby Announcement! This was something that I would think about when I was so sick, and I thought it would be fun to do a St. Patrick's Day theme because I would be leaving the first trimester right at that time. The kids had a lot of fun dressing up and making the rainbow out of the balloons. They are so excited to have a new baby! Henry and Della both ask me all of the time how the baby is doing, and if they hurt the baby when they touch my belly haha.

Extra Pictures

Henry's Highlights

• He says, "Our chother" and "Their chother" for "each other" haha.
• "Essposed to" for "supposed to"
• "I'm Sucker the dog and you're my owner"
• He was very sweet while Grandma was in the hospital. He always wanted to write cards to help her and Grandpa feel better.
• He started reading Easy Readers all by himself! I'm so proud of him for being able to read these books. He gets so excited!
• Henry has started to enjoy handwriting more and is practicing it more willingly.
• Says, "You found this! I haven't seen it in years!" Haha
• Wakes me up with a good morning kiss on my arm/hand

Adeline's Adventures

• Potty training! We started potty training because she was getting ready and we were going to be staying in a lot with the Corona Virus. We started on Saturday, March 14 and she did great! She had a few accidents until she learned how to make herself pee. She kept saying, "It's hard work Mom! I don't know how!" Then on March 18 she pooped for the first time in the toilet! WOO HOO!
• Says, "yow" for yeah. Also says, "Never again!" and "I promise!" if she gets in trouble haha.
• Starts every conversation with, "Hey guys!"
• Will give herself kisses in the mirror
• Says "I want to marry you Mom/Dad"
• Says, "My Mommy" or "My Daddy" while she nuzzles into us
• Pretends to be Fluff Fluff the cat or Lollipop (Lolly) the dog
• Loves telling stories. She told her first story while we were driving to Colorado. She said, "Once upon a time. Mommy and Daddy got married. In the temple! Then Henry was a baby. Then Della was a baby. Then Della got married. In the temple! And Mommy was a baby in Della's tummy. The end." Her favorite story that she repeated a lot (With some variations) was: "Once upon a time, three little bears chasing me. They eat me. They spit me out in water. I got died. The end" hahahaha. Then I asked her to tell me a story about fish because she only told the one about the bears, and she said: "Once upon a time. Three little fishes." And I said, "What did they do?" She said, "No thing. The end." Haha!