Family Filled Weekend... and a Funeral

WARNING: Long Post with lots of pictures.

NOTE: I wanted to sit down and write a post about this weekend mostly for me to remember. If you want to read ALL of it, be my guest.

So last Saturday, June 13th 2009, my dear Uncle Kevin passed away. He went into the hospital back in February because of a staff infection. I don't completely understand all what was wrong but I believe that the infection started in his right hand and spread all throughout his body. The infection caused many strokes in his brain, caused damage to his heart, and caused some problems with his kidneys. I'm sure there was a lot more that was wrong but I'm not fully aware of the entire sickness.

I visited Kevin every chance I got up in Salt Lake. I would go up there and stay a few hours to visit with him and Merlyn. I would sing to Kevin some hymns and also some songs out of the Children's Primary songbook. I guess I was a horrible singer in Kevin's opinion because he would always fall asleep every time I sang. Oh well...

I really thought Kevin was on the mend because every time I would go see him, he would be progressing. He was getting better until a week before his passing. I saw him on the Thursday before he passed and he wasn't able to talk again because of his tube in his throat. I didn't think he looked bad at all. But, of course, I had my boys with me and I only stayed for about 10 minutes. I was really shocked when I heard that Kevin passed away.

So, this last Wednesday, Mom, Dad, Anne, Trent, and the kids drove up for the funeral. I was really glad to see them and we were able to spend lots of time and fun together. Here are some pictures that I took from our visits...

We went up the canyon to Bridal Veil Falls and here is Ben on a bridge looking down at the river.

Here's Dad and Benjamin

On Saturday, we had the funeral. It was very nice to see everyone and to have a wonderful service. Merlyn, Kevin's wife, called me on Wednesday and asked if I would sing for the funeral. I was really happy that she wanted me to sing. I was worried when she asked me to sing that I wouldn't be able to because of my crying. Well, I'm sad that I really haven't been able to sit down and think about Kevin and that he's really gone. I guess I haven't had my time to mourn yet. During the funeral, Ben was really tired and cranky so Troy and I took turns outside in the hall during the funeral. Troy wanted me to stay in and listen to the services and also because it was my family, but for some reason, I just feel that I need to be the one that comforts and calms my children down. So, I didn't cry at all that day. Maybe this week I'll have my chance to think about things...

Here are some pictures that we took after the funeral...

Close up on Benjamin

2 cousins... Kirsten and Ben

Miss Little Cheese... Kirsten

My wonderful Mom and Dad

My sister's Anne and her family

Here we are!

My Aunt Merlyn and me

Me and Ryan

So, Ben didn't sleep very well the night before and he was really tired. I think he was ready to go by the end of our visiting.

He was out about 10 minutes into our drive home.

When we were all settled back at my place. the kids wanted to play in Troy's truck. They all had fun! There is Kelsey, Kirsten, Ryan, and Ben.

So now that everyone is gone now, I'm trying to catch up on sleep. When I got home from church, I crashed for a couple of hours. It was nice but I still miss my family...

But the excitment doesn't stop there! Troy and I and the boys are going to drive down to El Paso in 2 weeks for Kelsey's baptism!! I'm really excited to get out of Utah and visit more of my family! Texas... here we come!!!

Cross Your Fingers... Here we GO!!

I worked my 'you know what' off today. I took down Benjamin's crib and then I moved Ryan's bed in Ben's room! They are going to be roommates!! Ben is sleeping on the floor with his crib mattress so he can get used to not falling off the bed. We hear lots of talking in there right now.

Troy just mentioned that we need a web cam in there to see what's going on. I think that would be pretty interesting.

I'm hoping that I'll find them tonight asleep with both of them on Ryan's bed. That would be a total photo opportunity! That would be cute.

Sad day...

Yesterday was a pretty sad day for my family. My Uncle Kevin who has been fighting to get better ever since his stroke and infection in February, passed away yesterday morning around 8:15. He was only in his 50's. I feel so horrible that he's gone but at least, his suffering is all over. I am so happy that he is with Heavenly Father now and that he doesn't have any more pain. Please keep his wonderful wife, Merlyn, in your prayers. She really needs all the comfort she can get!

Ugh! I love my life today...

It's JUNE?! Already?!

Oh man, I guess time flies when I'm working hard with pushing myself with workouts and pushing myself to play with the boys.

Ryan got out of school a couple of weeks ago so this week was the first time he was home. Man, this week has been LOOOONG! I feel really bad for him because he's been stuck in the house while I've been busy cleaning up after him and being so tired that I can't do anything.

These last couple of weeks have been hard physically. I've been pushing myself 6 days a week to get a good workout with core exercises, treadmills, biking, and swimming. Today, I had to run 6 miles! I haven't run that long in a while so it was kind of hard to push myself in the last mile. It probably wasn't helping too that I was running uphill.

I have a new project I'm trying to work on with Ryan. We are going to try the "no diary" diet with him to see if it will help with his Autism. My MIL and I have been shopping for substitutes for Ryan but as of right now, we haven't started the diet yet. For some reason, something is holding me back. I think I'm really nervous and overwhelmed at the same time so I keep putting it off. I think I'm dreading the first week that Ryan will be on the diet because it will be horrible! I don't know how Ryan is going to handle the change. I don't know if I can follow him around the house constantly and make sure he's eating the right things and taking away the things he can't have. Oh boy... heaven help me!

I am also trying to deal with Benjamin. I have noticed this last week that he has more of an attitude problem! Holy Terrible 2's!!!! One of the things that drive me insane is when Ben says he wants something to eat and I fix it for him and then he doesn't want it anymore! Ugh!!!! I hate that!! He's been also kicking and screaming alot and throwing his tantrums. I wish he could just adjust already so I can focus my attention on Ryan.

Can we say I'M OVERWHELMED right now??!!

Anyway... here are some pictures to share.

We just finished eating the spaghetti and Ben really wanted the strainer. He just put it on his head and said, "HAT!"

Ben is all ready for church and waiting for mom in the car!

I found Ryan sleeping like this when I went in to check on him.

I conquered my challenge for the summer...

I found a GREAT bathing suit!!! They are called Hapari! Has anyone heard of it?

Here is the top....


And these are the bottoms that go with it!

The straps at the top can be worn 3 different ways...



I am really super happy with it. It really feels great when I have it on and I feel supported! Check out this awesome site!!!

Man, what a horrible weekend!

I was really looking forward to this long Memorial Day weekend because Troy doesn't have to work. Well, things have taken a turn for me.

We all got sick! I really don't know what I have but on Thursday, I started getting a sore throat and then achy chills. I was pretty miserable. I am still feeling that way today but I feel alright if I take my IBprofin. If I get off of it, I feel totally miserable again. I'm not sure what I'm going to do this week as far as working out.

Benjamin hasn't been feeling well either and we took him to an on-call doctor yesterday. Benjamin has his first ear infection. The doctor prescribed Amoxicilon and I'm really tempted to take some from Ben.

Then yesterday, Troy started feeling sick! Man, everyone is getting sick except Ryan. I really hope he doesn't catch what we have! He needs to go to school this week because it's the last week of school. I am really really thankful for Troy's parents because they took Ryan for the whole entire day while we stayed at home and slept! What a blessing that was!

I sure do hope that tomorrow is a turning point for all of us. We need to get over whatever it is we have and get on with life.

My TRAINING has started...

Oh. My. Word. I am SOOOO sore!!! I started on Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. with my personal trainer. He is really good at killing you!! He is a great tri-athlete trainer and that's what I'm training for... along with my 1/2 marathon in August. I've trained with him 2 times already and I need to crash on the couch! Anyone want to come over and take my kids for a while?!

Fun and Relaxing Weekend...

This weekend, we spent it over at Grandma's and Grandpa's. Troy needed to help his dad with some sprinklers so we just all went over there and hung out. Here are some pictures...


And today after dinner, we had another first. We got Benjamin's first HAIRCUT! We shaved him clean off!

BEFORE...

AFTER...

Well, you can't entirely see but he's buzzed! He's a cute little boy.

My nice moment with Ryan this morning...

This morning, I was trying to get the boys ready to take them over to my friends house so she could babysit them. I needed to get to my physical therapist so I could get my knee worked on. I wasn't having the best morning because I just woke up from having a bad dream. It was a stupid dream but it was one that was dragging me down and making me depressed.

Before I left, I decided to kneel down and say a quick little prayer and ask for some comfort. Right when I was about to start my prayer, Ryan walked in my room. I asked him if he would like to pray with me to Heavenly Father. After he consented by jumping on my bed to be beside me, we started the prayer. Ryan repeated everything I said from thanking Him for the pretty flowers outside to blessing daddy at work today. I then asked that 'Mommy will feel better.' Ryan repeated me and then looked at me. He then said, "Need a bandaid?" I just had to stop and laugh. I sure do love that kid.