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

grandsons- no words needed

the week before last- just some summer journal writing

The week before last

Brett's parents came for a couple days to visit.

I was a little nervous....

My sweet mother in law has Alzheimer's.

It's a cruel, cruel disease.

It's starting to run it's course & she is now forgetting people who she loves & it is heartbreaking.

But- she remembered us all- for now & it was a great visit.

 (like father, like son)

Sunday we went down to Utah Valley to attend church with Chloe & then headed out to Megan's new home to see them. It was so fun & so nice to be together. 

Super Jack & Super Charlie- like to show their muscles.

Trent & the boys played this game - 

Trent threw a ball up the stairs & Joey would throw it back down & Nana was worried Joey would fall down the stairs I she was a wreck.

Jack visits Chloe twice a week & they like to play cards.

They showed us the game they play- it is fast moving & fun to watch! 

Megan made cinnamon rolls & they were SO GOOD!

Joey had one just his size. 

He is so cute I just want to scoop him up.

Brian, Laura & the twins went with Laura's family to a reunion & sent home these pictures.

They crack me up!

Summer is going too fast at our house!

Christmas break

We had a really fun Christmas break this year-

I'm super behind posting-- so I'm working on a little catching up.

For Christmas Brett & I made our two Grandson's a tee pee.

It got there just in time - on Christmas Eve.

Megan sent me this picture a couple days after Christmas & it is such a joy to see.

(biscuits & gravy for breakfast- we had way too much rich food this break)

During the break we were lucky enough to have Brett's parents with us. They were here two weeks. Their flight was interrupted in Denver on the way here & canceled (they had to stay an extra day) on the way back! Winter traveling can be such a pain. 

Trent played with Brett's childhood train set- a lot!

Grandpa was impressed it still worked so well. 

New Year's Eve food & cute girls-

Jack & Cory- 

Cory got home from his mission to Columbia in October.

Oh so happy to have him around. What a great guy. 

Jack's New Year's Eve plate- which explain s few of his stomach problems. 

Maybe it's not leftover illness from Brazil? Maybe he's a TERRIBLE EATER????

Gee I wonder? 

We also sent the boys the movie The Incredibles & "Super Fast, like Dad" t-shirts with built in capes, with built in capes- of course!

I think they like them?

One of the many high lights of having Grandma & Grandpa here 

was getting together with Brett's High School buddy Mike.

Mike hung around Brett's home in his teenage years. 

In this picture he is telling Grandma what an amazing influence she was in his life.

How she was the only person who wrote him when he was in the Army & on his mission to Germany. 

She is such a sweet heart. It was a tender moment.

Mike has a Beautiful family -

5 boys & 1 girl- amazing.

(1 boy was home sick)

We had so much fun having them over to the house for dinner.

***

It's been a rough winter.

Besides all the snow - which is good & bad for different reasons, mostly good- Chloe has had a drastic increase in tics. She is home from school now. Her tics are too disruptive & violent in nature at times. She is such an amazing girl, full of optimism & hope.

 Now and then it really gets to her- but boy I tell ya- she is tough!

We are going to the specialist & working at NOT having to take the meds that will most likely stop the ticking. They have a lot of really bad side affects- so for now- trying some other medicine combinations, meditating & enjoying some time together.

We are so lucky to be close to the University of Utah where there are specialist that really help us & her. We are humbled & blessed by so many of you praying for our family & continually putting our names in the temple. Thank you.

Instead of looking at this as a hard time- we are trying to think of it as a learning time- and time to do the things that are fun to do for Chloe, when she can. It's nearly impossible anyway for her to do homework-  so we are watching movies & cooking etc.

*GREAT NEWS*

Megan, Tony & the boys arrive a week from today for a visit & Soon (hopefully not too soon) after that

 WE HAVE SOME TWINNERS COMING!!!!

YES

Laura is doing amazing & is 33 weeks tomorrow. 

Twins are on their way!

It won't be long now. Anywhere between now & 3-5 weeks & they will be here.