Lots to update...

Ok so I'm sorry this is so long but for journalistic purposes I'm writing it all. I numbered the paragraphs for you though so you don't have to read the whole thing J Also I attached some fun pictures of Owen. He wanted to feed himself one day so we let him feed himself mashed potatoes. And then the other picture is of me and Alyssa at the Mt View basketball game.

 

Table of Contents:

                Trip down to AZ on 2.26.2010……………………….Paragraph 1

                Viewing and Funeral…………………………………….Paragraph 4

                Random Others…………………………………………….Paragraph 8

                The Oscars…………………………………………………….Paragraph 10

                My new Job…………………………………………………..Paragraph P.S.

1.       So we went to AZ the 3^rd week in February to see my Grandpa Papito in the hospital. I already wrote about that so I won't again. But we got back Sunday the 21^st and then went back to AZ 5 days later. On Friday the 26^th I was talking to my mom and getting text updates from my dad about Papito's condition. He wasn't doing well and probably wasn't going to make it much longer. With the help of KC, I decided to leave for AZ right away. KC and his sister Kerri were so kind to help me find a flight to take and bought me a ticket to take Owen and I down to AZ to be with my family again. VERY last minute we convinced Alyssa to come with us and we all made it to the airport 30 minutes before the flight left. I very much believe that making the flight was a tender mercy from the lord to help me and Alyssa get to AZ in time to be with my family.

 

We got to AZ and Kerri and Ryan picked us up from the Airport and took us right to the hospital. They were so nice to spend their date night picking us up and taking Owen home with them. I wouldn't have been able to take Owen into the room at the hospital and with him being so tired and such it was just the right decision to let Kerri watch him for me.

 

We ran up to Papito's room and found everyone there waiting for us. Because of the infection that he had, we all had to be gowned in a white cover and white gloves that the hospital provided for us. So when we got there everyone was dressed in white and it was like a room full of angels around Papito. My dad led a spiritual meeting of the bearing of testimonies by Papito's brothers and then we had a family prayer. It was just so neat to be there, the spirit was so strong. After that Nannie had the nurses turn all the machines off and we were there in the room for his passing. It wasn't as sad as I thought it would be because I think the spirit was so strong that we were so comforted. My dad then had the extended family leave and it was just Papito's immediate family left in the room. We all went around and shared our thoughts or feelings and then left for the night. I know that none of us would have been able to be so strong if we had not had the spirit with us. The lord really does send his comforter to be with us when we need it.

 

4.            The following week was somewhat uneventful. The weather was so nice that we rode bikes out side, ran in the mornings with my mom, and played at the park. My brother Jeffrey got sick so Owen and I went and stayed and Kerri and Ryan's home. Hollie and Ethan were soooo excited to have Owen there to play with. And I know that Owen loved the company of little ones his age also. Hollie is 4 and Ethan is 2 so Owen fit right in. And now that he can walk, Owen can stay up with them better J

                KC and Tyler drove down to Mesa on Wednesday. Alyssa and I were so excited to finally have them there with us. And Owen and gotten so used to me around only that he walked around saying "MAMA" instead of "DADA". I'm not complaining, it was so cute. That was the first time he really started saying "mama".

                We had the viewing at Meldrum Mortuary on Thursday night. KC and I could only stay for a little because we needed to put Owen in bed and take care of Jeffrey but it was really neat how they had the entrance set up. They put some of Papito's camping stuff out like his stove and spice cabinet. Then we had all the enchilada ingredients out. Camping and Enchiladas were what we could associate the best with Papito so the fit well at the viewing.

                The Funeral was on Friday morning and we had Uncle Lavar and Uncle Bob Oates give the life histories. I really enjoyed that part because they both told so many stories about Papito that I had never heard before and they were funny stories so we were all laughing. The only time throughout the funeral that I got teary-eyed was when Carrie-Jean read her poem that she wrote for her dad. It was such a simple yet sweet poem. We drove over to the cemetery and my dad said the Dedicatory prayer and all of it was just so nice. Again, I know that the only way we all got through it was because of the comfort of the Spirit being with us.

 

8.            KC, Owen, Alyssa, Tyler and I drove back to AZ on Sunday March 7^th. It was actually a much better drive than I had planned for. Owen did great and actually let us all sleep. I think the reason it was so hard for him last time was because we put him in his car seat for 12 hours and then 3 days later did it again. This trip he flew down and then only had to drive back. That worked out much better.

                I read lots of the trip back. I started reading "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and I'm so loving it. I'm not very far into this long novel but it has my attention captured and I don't want to put it down. I don't even like reading in the car because it makes me sick but I would read until I couldn't take it anymore and then get a sprite at the next stop to help me feel better J And now that I've been home I've just been trying to find any time to read.

10.          Lastly, KC was so prepared and thinking about me that he set the DVR to record the Oscars for me so that I could still watch it when I got home. So I watched it last night and oh I just want to go one year. The dresses are lovely and it totally makes you fall in to the "Hollywood glamour" trap thinking that everything is perfect in Hollywood. And actually it makes me wish that I could have seen Hollywood a few decades ago during the "Golden Era" of movies. How lovely it must have been then!

                Well I think that's all I have for now; I'm sure I'll think of something else and post again soon. But I had a great last 2 weeks and I'm glad to be back home only so that I can get back on schedule. I very much still wish that I was in AZ in the amazing weather and around my family. I miss them lots already.

 

PS.          See I already thought of something else. So I started a new position at work. I think I'm really going to like it but it's been really slow these last 2 days. I don't have a desk so I don't have a computer with the right programs on them so I can't even start playing and training my self. But it should pick up next week when we're supposed to move into our offices and I'll get a desk… we'll see. I'll keep you posted.