Uncle Bobby

My mom's older brother, Bobby Gilliam passed away early Christmas morning. He had been diagnosed with cancer early summer and not too long ago the drs told him there was nothing else they could do for him. He spent the remaining time getting ready to leave. His family became his care-takers and they did a wonderful job.

I spent some wonderful hours with him recently and I know that he was ready to go. As bittersweet as it was to lose him on Christmas, it was comforting to know that he had a wonderful reunion on the other side Christmas morning. I envy him getting to be with Grandma and Grandpa again. I MISS them so much. There absolutely were no two better people in this world than Grandma and Grandpa Gilliam.

My mom was heartbroken and my tears were for her. Her brothers teased and played with her but every one of them treated her like their own princess. They protected and adored their sister and she loved her brothers. Mom and Uncle Dennis are the last two of her family and the sad realization is that their time here is short.

I will miss my Uncle Bobby and his sense of humor. He was a good man and I love him. I am blessed with good people on both sides of my family. I am thankful for my ancestors - oh what a blessing they are!

Christmas Here and Gone

I don't know how it happened but all of a sudden Christmas was coming, got here and is gone. I was in a bah humbug mood for a while then I made myself get ready and then it was fun with Kamryn and Trentin. It was priceless to see their little faces on Christmas morning as they opened their gifts. Santa left Kamryn her doll house - that's all she wanted and she was thrilled. Trentin got every "big huck" (truck) they make, I think and he was beyond thrilled. The simple joy of getting something they asked for made it real for them. We went to Nola's for Christmas dinner and it was yummy. Too much food but oh how we enjoyed it. Jenna and Weston stay home for Christmas and may come for New Year's but who knows. Tad and Chelsea had Christmas with the Peterson's and celebrated Cache's 2nd birthday with the Geislers and Aylors. They had a busy day and then Tad had to leave and go back for work on Sunday.

I am blessed with a good family and wonderful friends. They made my Christmas. I was teary eyed more than once this holiday season. On Christmas Eve I went to town and the luminarias were up and down Main Street in both Springerville and Eagar. I LOVE this service.

The kids and I went out to eat on Thursday and then went to look at Christmas lights. Trentin loved "baby Cheesus" and everytime we saw the holy family he always pointed out baby cheesus. We talked about why we celebrate Christmas and hopefully that will be ingrained in them as they grow up.

I have loved looking out my kitchen window every night to see the star on Flat Top. I will be sad when it isn't lit anymore. It is one of the things I look forward to every year.

Hoping for a Happy New Year - it's coming soon!

We Are Family...

I know I used this pictue before, but there is a reason I am using it again.

Tad gave me permission to do this...on Saturday he and Chelsea were at the house when I got off work. We were chatting in the kitchen when he said, "we've got something to tell you..." they are getting married! I cried. I have prayed for many years for him to find someone to share his life with and to have a family with and it is happening. I can't believe how HAPPY he is. It has been a long while since I've seen him this happy. He truly loves Chelsea and Cache. He will make a good husband and father. I am grateful he wants to help her raise this precious little boy. They are making plans and Jenna our wedding planner went into power mode. It is fun to make plans and envision their future together.

All I know is that Heavenly Father answers EVERY prayer. Sometimes the answer is NO, sometimes the answer comes right away and in this case it has been a long time coming but it is answered and I for one am GRATEFUL.

Hoping that something wonderful happened for each of you today.

A Lot Of Living

It has been awhile since I posted. Life has been so crazy. Working part time, jamboree, grandkids, family, etc. It has been one of the most stunning falls that I can remember. The leaves turned while I was in the valley when Brinley was blessed. She is an absolute doll. Tad, Chelsea and Cache came down . It was fun to have a house full. Troy and Trentin went home Sunday after we ate; Kamryn stayed with me the whole week.

We had the kids most of the weekend so we took them on a ride Friday and took pictures it was almost too late to get any pictures of color - it's amazing how quickly they go from beautiful to gone.

The kids had fun skipping stones across the Lake with Ed - mostly just loved playing in the water.

Tomorrow is Trunk or Treat - Kamryn is really excited. It will be fun to see the kids in their costumes.

It is getting late in the day and I want to play so I better get my house work done!

Ok...I'll Eat Cake

Jenna and Weston came up for the weekend and the kids absolutely had a ball. Our weather is PERFECT and the kids played outside from daylight till dark. My dad's garden is starting to come off so we had a big dinner on Saturday night with grilled chicken and veggies from the garden. I made texas sheet cake for desert and the kids seemed to like it. On Sunday morning Jenna got up and had a sliver of the cake and was eating it when Bailey asked her what she was eating and Jenna told her cake. I walked into the kitchen just as Bailey was pushing a chair up to the table saying "ok...I'll eat cake" Jenna and I both laughed. It was like the ONLY choice of food for the day was cake and if she had to she would eat it. She is such a quirky little thing she truly makes me laugh all of the time.
Jenna said that Bailey told her that her baby was crying and Jenna said maybe it needed to burp and Bailey came back with "no, she hasn't chewed on me yet." (This is what she thought Brinley does to Jenna when she is nursing - chewing on her)









Kamryn was soooo excited when I told her Gunnar was coming. She truly loves him and she really loves Weston. They played and played. Once in a while they would get cross ways, I think there's just a bit of competition going on.

Weston took Gunnar and Bailey fishing at Nelson's and at first it was a slow fish day but then after about 20 minutes, Weston said the fish started hitting. Gunnar caught 10 and Bailey caught 1, Weston 0. Gunnar told his dad "you aren't a very good fisherman are you dad?" They did catch and release because usually the fish at Nelson's taste "mossy". The kids didn't mind, they had a lot of fun catching them.

Brinley is so new we mostly stayed at home so the kids didn't get to go to the park this time. Jenna's kids love the Eagar park, I think mostly because of the weather and it is a really nice park with lots of activity centers for the kids.

When they left yesterday evening I was sad. I miss all of the activity going on and my house gets so quiet when I'm there alone.

Tomorrow is the primaries - don't forget to VOTE!

Brinley Lyn

Made her entrance at 7:59 a.m. Wednesday, August 4th. Weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 20 inches long - perfect in every way. I had the opportunity to drive down that afternoon and spend a week with Jenna and family. I am so blessed to be a grandmother once again. Gunnar and Bailey were starting to dote on her as I left and I knew she was in good hands (if they can just keep their mother away from that sleeping baby) :o) Seems they enjoy holding her while she sleeps. Poor Brinley is so loved she doesn't know what to do.

Lessons Learned

Kamryn and I have been reading in the Book of Mormon Reader and I was trying to explain the words "wicked" and "righteous" and I used words like "obedient" explaining Heavenly Father is happy when we are obedient...when we do what our mother and father asks, when we help our little brother, etc. Pretty soon she said, "and Heavenly Father would be really happy if you would share your coke with me". How do you argue with that? She took the concepts, figured them out and made them work in her little world. She LOVES reading the Book of Mormon reader and loves going to Primary. Sr. Finch is always so prepared and the little ones love her. I'm gonna have a coke and I'm not gonna share :o)