We are almost BACK!

Wow! It has been quite a challenge for me to update this blog. Our "good" laptop died. I don't know how to load pictures on this oldie. And I had a hard time finding my blog. Now that is funny!!! Plus moving, Grandpa's funeral, and other life trials going on.

I just have to say that I am so grateful to be me and to have my family and the trials I hsve.

Goodbye My Grandpa

These last several days have been days of contemplation. With our sweet Grandpa Seely nearing death, we have spent many hours in the hospital holding his hands, giving him water (and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but that is another story), singing songs, Kortney playing the harp for him, the Dyers playing their instruments, laughing, talking about the memories, and crying because we will miss this man so much! Most likely he will pass tonight. I tried to stay around until he left, but the kids had had enough. I thought about making them just stick it out, but I have realized that death is a lot like birth. We really have no way of knowing when it will come. We are not in charge. I was finally able to let myself come home knowing that my Grandpa knows that I love him so much. He knows that I am so grateful for his example and the many things he has taught me. He knows that I have done my best to be there to support him and help him. And he knows that I have five kids who I am responsible to take care of. And when he gets to Heaven, he will know all that even better. I love you so much, Grandpa. I know you'll be preparing the way for us to see you there. I'll listen close to hear you cheering me on.

Happy 2-Month Birthday, Olivia!

Today all of the Higginson/Loveless bunch celebrated Olivia's day. We met at the cemetary, visited, ate cookies, drank hot chocolate (some of us), and let lots of balloons go up to Olivia. She is very much a part of our family. We all love her so. Happy Birthday, Olivia!

The birthday celebration was the tail-end of our very busy day today!

Let the Yard Sale BEGIN!!! Right when I got home from Curves the kids were begging me to help them finish the signs. So, for the next hour I did. They were out with their hats, coats, gloves and chattering teeth setting things up. It was a COLD day! This yard sale thing took every minute of this day! We were somewhat successful. The kids all really enjoyed themselves. They liked visiting and bargaining with people. They loved playing with the cousins that came over. They had fun trying to figure out how much money they had made. It was a fun thing.

The last good thing we did was go to the hospital to visit my Grandpa Seely. His pneumonia is not doing well. He isn't really eating and told my Mom this morning that he had a bad night (bad dreams and not feeling well) and that he just wants to die. But tonight while we were there he told us that he had decided that he was going to get better. We sang to him and just held his hand. We sure love him and are grateful for the wonderful life he has lived.

Yard Sale Time

Yes. We are really going to do it. We are moving into the basement of my parents' home in Orem. So, we have some stuff we need to sell. The kids are so excited to have a yard sale. They are very hopeful to earn some money to buy bikes. I hope we can sell something! They made a donations can, got the cash registers out, and spent lots of time helping to make the signs to hang up. We will see what the weather brings.

Kortney & Nathan are practicing up for their solo performance competition this Saturday at UVU. It will be good experience for them. Kortney also has the privilege of playing in sacrament meeting on Sunday. She is hoping to find a new dress by then.

A Little to Catch Up On

Last week was amazingly full of important times for lots of people that we love. Starting with the beginning of life, Charlotte Kay Cook was blessed on Sunday in Salt Lake City. Then the next major step in life is baptism: Jacy Hayes Penick was baptized on Saturday. John & Tricia Marr were blessed to be sealed in the Provo Temple on Saturday evening. And that morning was the funeral of our Grandma Ethel Orton Higginson in Idaho that we were just not able to attend with all the other things going on. And on top of that, grandpa J. Boyd Seely is in the hospital with cancer in his bladder, lungs and bones, along with other things like failing kidneys, possible pneumonia and a great attitude and smile to go with it all! In between all of that, we tried to keep up on the house, homeschool, and our daily things while spending time with the Cook family visiting from California. WOW!!! No wonder my Mom said she feels like she is kind of in a fog today. I am feeling a bit the same way: Lots to do, big things coming up, and trying to digest all that has already happened. Isn't life wonderful? I really mean it. I couldn't be happier.

Fun Snow in March

I decided to let go a little bit and have some fun. We made a few really neat huts (they filled the front room and kitchen) and then played outside in the snow storm. I am not a big fan of the cold and wet and mess (wet coats, gloves, hats, pants, socks, boots, etc.), but it all turned out great! We had a fun afternoon.

Kids
Always do their morning tasks, family scripture study, instrument practicing, attended cousin Jerin Bailey's science fair at his school, made huts, played in the snow, read books, played chess and scrabble. They were just good kids today!

Kortney
She had the special opportunity to go to the hospital with Jerin and read to her Great Grandpa Seely. They read him The Long Winter in the Little House on the Prairie series. She said she had fun. I hope they get to keep doing it.

Mom
I go back and forth trying to decide if I should include my things I do. Most of it is very daily tasks: cleaning, making meals, cleaning up meals, making snacks, changing laundry, changing diapers, wiping bottoms, disciplining, setting timers for all sorts of things, encouraging studying and good choices, and making more meals. For the past few weeks I have not missed a weekday morning going to Curves to exercise and that has been huge to me. I feel great! I can't see any difference, but I have more energy and just feel better about myself all around. I have also been able to read The Book of Mormon more consistently right when I get home from Curves. I have a great desire to STUDY more and learn all sorts of things, but really struggle making the time. That is an improvement I am going to make.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was fun.

We also learned some new information about my Grandpa Seely: he has cancer. It is at least in his bladder and in his bones. We don't know how progressed it is. New challenges every day that help me be grateful for all the good things going on. I know our family is very blessed.

Seth cut all the boys hair today. Then my sister Lisa came over and cut my hair and cut Kortney's again. We got some hand-me-down clothing that the kids just thought was the BEST! We played outside together in the warm weather.