Circle of Life

Brad's Grandma Boyer recently passed away. She was 94. Her funeral was last weekend in Arco, Idaho.

We made the difficult decision to send just Brad to the funeral. It was a hard decision because I dearly love Brad's grandmother and her incredible family and I wanted to be there to celebrate her life with them. But we knew that 20 plus hours in the car in one weekend would just be too hard on our kids. So Brad left to make the trip and I stayed home with the girls and baby Sam.

From all accounts I heard, the funeral was beautiful: complete with incredible musical numbers, inspiring messages, and a miraculous parting of the clouds at the graveside. I'm sure Grandma was pleased. She's left a pretty amazing legacy. We have a lot to live up to.

Though I'm still sad I couldn't be there in person, I ended up having a nice weekend too. After watching horrible events unfold in the city we are moving to in two months, holding my pure, precious newborn baby and thinking about an amazing woman and a life well lived was reassuring. Love and family... that is what is most important no matter what craziness goes on around us.

We love you, Grandma...

Things I Want to Remember: At Two Weeks

How big Samuel's hands looked when the nurse handed him to me and the shock of hearing how big he was.

Brad bringing our tired-eyed little girls to meet their baby brother, and their somewhat stunned reaction.

Reading the story of Samuel in the Bible with Brad Sunday morning while waiting to be discharged from the hospital. Thinking about how it's a little different parenting a boy who will someday hold the priesthood and serve a mission - and hoping we're up for the task.

Bringing Samuel home to this reaction.

Immense gratitude for my Mom and her uncanny ability to know what you need without asking and for making my sweet girls (and me) feel so special.

The virtual baby shower put together by my sweet sister-in-law and all the thoughtful gifts my sisters gave us.

Scenes like this:

Sam's tendency to wake up and be totally alert just in time for his Dad to come home.

Brad's wonderful parents making a spur-of-the-moment trip to see us and admire their newest grandson.

Quiet times when Sam just stares at me like I'm the most fascinating thing in the world.

 This perfect, healthy little face (I think he looks like his daddy).