jack gets married

One week after Grandma's funeral-

we had a wedding!

Jack & Dolly

decided to get married & didn't waste any time.

Realizing his last semester of school was starting, knowing he would be super busy as a senior, wanting to go on a honeymoon.....

they gave us 40 days notice.

ya-

you read that right...

40 days.

I was okay with it- I just felt bad for her mom- until I learned that Dolly- she is a gem & she literally did all the work. Every bit. She worked her tail off getting this wedding put together & she did a beautiful job. The pictures here are just snapshots- someday I will get better ones but for now the snapshots are great.

They chose the date-

12-13-14

It was a popular day to get married & so fun.

They are a beautiful couple.

Perfect for each other....

On their- 3, 4, maybe 5th date they went sky diving.

At least that's what they tell us- no pictures= no proof. 

I tell him I went sky diving that day too- but didn't take pictures, ya right.

She is fearless & loves adventure like Jack. 

I routinely remind him that life is not just about adventure, but that life is a gift from God. 

The greatest adventure is being true to what God would have you do in this life- that also takes courage. So adventurous & courageous they are & I hope they will always be.

Some other fun pictures from the day-

not many... ugh... but some.

You probably don't know this-

but Jack loves weddings with dancing. LOVES DANCING

He is a dancing fool & so are all of his buddies.

They made up a play list & had a D. J. just for this part of the night.

Unfortunately most of the guests had left when the full on dancing started- it was quite the show. 

Jack & his college buddies have the tradition of having a special dance for the groom at each of their weddings. it's down right hilarious! We have it on tape & someday I hope to post it on YouTube so I can retire. 

I love this picture because Dolly's friends are looking at Jack like... 

um.. Dolly- this is who you married??

ha hahahahahahha! I love it.

Having Dolly as a daughter has been a huge blessing in my life.

I don't worry about Jack as much (big load lifted) because I know when his malaria symptoms start up she lets me know. She helps take care of him & he here. They are good for each other & she is a dream. I hope they have a load of red headed grandchildren - just for me. 

Dolly & Jack

12-13-14

mom messer

(This is one of the last good pictures we took of mom- here we are out to dinner for Chloe's graduation.)

My sweet mother in law Marilyn passed away last November just before Thanksgiving.

It had been a long hard battle for her with Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a cruel disease.

(Windmills on our drive to Wyoming)

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday we didn't have her funeral until a couple weeks after. We wanted as many friends & family who could- to come. 

Brett & I were very blessed that all of our children & grandchildren could make it. 

Grandma Messer was their- long term babysitter- for any major event or occasion when Brett & I went out of town while they were growing up. She watched the kids several times for us & they have many, many memories of her & of her home. This is their line up of mailboxes - just down the lane from their house. 

It's such a beautiful sight- especially after a long drive.

It was December & we were really worried about the weather - but I'm sure she was up there making deals with the head weather man. The weather was perfect & everyone made it safely. 

She had a beautiful service.

Her kids spoke. Megan & Hailey sang.

She looked beautiful.

She was fiercely loyal & proud of her children & grandchildren.

I'm sure she was so happy to have these boys be her pallbearers. 

I don't even really have words.

(All six of my children.)

Six of her many grandchildren.

She was easy to love.

This picture is taken just a few steps away from her grave site. 

A nice view of the mountains. 

Deer visit often & frequently eat the flowers Grandpa leaves for her weekly & checks on daily. 

She is missed 

It's times like this that I am more than grateful for my knowledge that

 He Lives.

 Because of Jesus Christ and His Great Atonement.

 I will see her again- and it will be a joyous reunion.

I Believe

a year off~

I took a YEAR off of blogging.

 A whole year. 

Why? 

It has been a long, hard, couple of years... or more than a couple.

Last year life in our home started to get better- then I started to fall apart.

 I started therapy, specifically with one of Chloe's therapists, (so that I wouldn't have to hash over her story & others- it's so hard to believe- that I didn't want to spend weeks working on just telling what happened to all of us.)

I went weekly, then bi-weekly, then once every three weeks.... I did that from August through December. I then decided to stop & see how I did. I did okay- had a few really rough spots- but I am good. I am really good for now. 

I am sad I quit blogging because a lot of GREAT things & hard things happened and are missed here. I am glad I quit blogging because for a while my attitude & outlook were a bit out of wack. It was good to get some help & take some time.

Now- 

The year is up & I have so much to catch up on!

1. My sweet mother in law passed away last November after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I was asked not to blog about it- in fear that she would read it. It was a long, sad journey.

2. In December Jack got married to the most darling girl named Dolly! Jack & Dolly- they sound like a couple from the 50's. She is so good for him & is helping him try to stay on top of his health issues. I feel a great sense of relief having her in our lives. I love her. In April he graduated from BYU.

3. Hailey went to Ecuador for 4 months to work in the same orphanage Megan worked in 9 years ago! She just got home last Saturday. It was a great adventure & definitely life changing.

4. My son Trent- he is growing! He is nearly taller than his dad, turns 16 in less than a month, and is learning to drive.... EEEK!

5. My grand sons! They are getting so big. They are absolute joy, happiness & have given me more joy than I even thought possible.

6. Chloe-- YES CHLOE- is engaged! She is getting married on August 15, 2015. So yes we are busy getting that ready. 

But- for today

I am back- and I hope after this year I am better version of myself.

I look forward to writing & catching up.

I love this blog & hope to publish it someday as my personal history. Even though - it's just one version of my history- (it's the sweetened less honest version, but there's still a lot here)

I hope this attempt to start up again is not a fail!