Family Picture May 2022

Family Picture May 2022

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

October 2017

This will include everything that happened in October except our trip to New England. That post will follow.
October started off fun, I carved pumpkins the first day of the month and harvested the seeds so we could have a snack during general conference. I figured it might be the only attempt at carving I made for the year so I took a picture. That evening Fiora and I went to see "Spiderman Homecoming" in the theater while Jared and Weston went to Priesthood session. She was a fun date and that was a funny movie.





 Sunday we enjoyed conference at the Snow's home. We had a nice breakfast first and then all watched the morning session in their basement. Jared has conference induced narcolepsy so I caught him snoozing. I'm guilty of that myself a time or two. There was a snow storm the first week of October here in Lindon and it got really cold for a while. :(





Fiora got sick with a stomach flu three times this month. She got it mild the first time, then severe the second time and missed school, and then another round while we were on our trip. In fact all three of our kids got sick with something while we were gone, and all we could do is text "sorry feel better soon" to help. One of my to-do's when I got home was set up a doctor visit for my girls to see why they keep getting so sick, their immune systems seem to be weak.
I'm still doing my once a month sketching class with my Aunt linda and I practiced as much as I could before I left. I watched over grandma Rappleye and Joseph was there in the morning so I took his picture and tried to draw him. He is a handsome boy. I tried to sketch Holly who was expecting at the time, she was on my mind a lot because it was uncertain what would happen when her baby was born with all the birth defects they were finding. I also tried to draw Heidi for her 38th birthday but it ended up looking like Lucy more than Heidi.





I got to babysit my two friends Titus and Suzette which gave me comfort because that was when we found out the induction date of Holly's baby Pheobe, who tested positive for Trisomy 18, so we were coming to grips with the fact that may also be Pheobe's death day. I was filled with mixed emotions of love and grief for Holly.


We managed to squeeze in an hour of time together as a family to get our family pictures taken. Wendy Snow graciously came with us to BYU to be our photographer and did a great job. We had a lot of fun and it was nice because up to then for a while it seemed we were divided or in conflict when together. Jared had to remind me we are not a dysfunctional family, it typical for families to experience strife now and then. I just love my family so much it feels worse than it is when we are at odds. Of course the best one of me is the one where no one else not even the dog is picture ready. Ha ha. Be on the look out for a christmas card with our faces on it this year!













 October 14th was the induction day, so we all slated Saturday clear so we could be available whenever Holly delivered Phoebe. Holly got there around 7 and the rest of us around 9 am, we all waited in the visitor foyer about 7 hours, watching kids and eating snacks, and taking pictures, until Phoebe arrived at 4:00 pm. Then we rushed up to see her in case she passed away soon. We were all surrounding Holly and Bill and their baby trying to get a glimpse and a photo and Phoebe stayed alive! So we started to calm down and were in and out taking turns holding her. What a precious spirit and oh how my heart was bleeding! Many tears were shed by all of us. My dad took Holly's kids home around 6 pm and I left shortly after. Phoebe passed away at 10 pm in the arms of her mom and dad, the only two left in the hospital room with her. What an unforgettable experience. I am very thankful Holly shared her few hours with angel Phoebe Kathryn Nielson with us.







































The next day was rough for me. I had all kinds of past grief from losing my own precious Lillian sweep over me and I couldn't get out of bed or stop crying. Jared gave me a blessing and I was able to get up and dress in pink and white, what everyone in the family was doing to honor Phoebe. I had to drive out to Eagle Mountain to talk to holly and bill and that was the only thing that got me to calm down, I hope somehow I helped them too. I'm grateful for good family, what a loving support system.
Unfortunately I was leaving the next day for Boston and had to miss the funeral. Heidi sent me lots of pictures so I didn't feel too left out. I was very sad to miss that day of celebration and closure, but the trip ended up being exactly what I needed to heal and feel happy again. October gave me the best and the worst of emotions.








 The kids managed to keep the house standing and themselves alive while we were gone for 9 days, but unfortunately our cat went missing. I went searching the pound for him with no luck, and none of the neighbors have seen him. I think he got killed somehow and I am a little more upset about it than I probably should be, too much death for me. Jared asked if I wanted to get another cat and I said no, its too soon I really liked Link.
We got back just in time for Weston and Fiora's fall choir concert, and I managed to hem their dress and suit pants in record speed that afternoon, which I was quite proud of myself for doing. They did a great job, their numbers were my favorite of the whole concert.


While we were in Rhode Island my brother Justin and his wife Kali birthed twin girls! Ah! I was so anxious to meet them. I had to wait an entire three days after coming home before I had a chance to get over to their house to meet Isla and Evie, the sweetest little twin girls I've ever seen. I just love all my nieces and nephews and am excited to welcome these newcomers to the family.
Since returning home we have been so busy, but grateful for all we are involved in and for each other. Savanna and Fiora are just as goofy as ever, and Weston still plugs away at gymnastics. Fiora dressed up for halloween today and looks adorable. I'm grateful to be able to serve these awesome people each day.






In Memory of Lillian

In Memory of Lillian
Our Family