Family Gathering

The week before Dad passed away, Ron and his family brought dinner and fixed it at Angelas and we all went over and visited Dad.  It was a really great time to all be together.  It was cute to see how excited he was about it too.  Death is hard, but there are some beautiful moments that bring everyone together as well.

Until We Meet Again

Dad returned to his Heavenly Father on May 19th.  I was getting Monet ready for her 9th grade dance when Angela texted everyone to let us know that Diane had been hearing the gurgling sounds that we all knew by then meant his time here was short.

I wasn't able to make it before he passed.  But I was there just after.  Miles and Soren were able to come to as I was racing out the door.  Poor Miles was so sweet and it was good to be there and have the closure of really saying goodbye.

I'm so grateful that the past couple months we've had some time for that.

Apparently the end is not as peaceful as it can be portrayed.  He was gurgling and struggling to breathe and seemed determined to hang on.  Dan gave him a blessing of release and he was able to relax a little before he passed on.

Diane and the boys, Angela, Dan and her boys were all there by his bedside.  When I got there I gave him a hug and it was a little heartbreaking to know his spirit was not within his body.  But I'm sure he was there in that room.

I was dreading the funeral.  I'm not sure why.  I think it just felt vulnerable and overwhelming.  But in reality, it was very comforting.  All of the kids were able to speak and I really loved hearing everyones different memories.  I loved being able to see everyone.  Rachel was able to come, which was so great.  Another week and it would have been much harder with her baby being so close.

I was also so blown away to see some of my friends there.  Old friends from my childhood.  Laura and Megan were both there.  Laura had to drive from Richfield and Megan had a really difficult week herself yet she was there supporting me.  So sweet.

I am also really amazed at how supportive people are in general.  We had like 5 meals for our whole family provided by ward and friends.  It was an incredible effort.  I'm going to make sure to pay it forward.

My very favorite part of the funeral was Diane's idea to put paper hearts on his casket.  All the family wrote him notes like his valentines and we covered his casket in them.  It felt like a loving way to say goodbye.

We are going to miss him so much.  This is a new experience for me.  I know I'll see my dad again.  I pray that I'll feel him and that we will have him watching over us and helping us.

Lacrosse Awards

So my girls did awesome this year in lacrosse!  Monet rocked it as a freshman.  She had some great left hand shots early in the season at the tournament.  She was so well conditioned after playing THREE other sports this year.  She was amazing.  She played defense for a lot of the season and was such a versatile player.  She did great on defense as well.

Elise killed it the last three games.  She did well the entire season.  But toward the end was when Skye was unable to play.  Elise stepped it up and used her speed to make some really important goals.  I loved watching her.  She is fast and has great defense and looks for opportunities to cause turnovers and to intercept the ball.

Elise was awarded the coaches award at the banquet.  She was also awarded an All Region Midfield award.  She even had a coach from Fresno state that is interested in her.  I'm excited for her senior season!

Legs!

Cutest sister moment after Monet's first varsity goal: a sweet left hand shot vs. Copper Hills

she went boating right before this and had to borrow clothes!  Lucky, always doing something fun