Sister Shirts

 

While we were at moms I had to run to town real quick for a few things so I totally bought us Sister Shirts so we could all be matching, because, why not?!?! :)

In this first picture dad is "ducking out of the way." Hahaha! good job dad! 

This last picture is one dad took on his phone because he wanted a picture of his "girls" all together. We took his phone and took a few "better" ones. Hahaha! We are seriously so much fun! We even got some smiles out of mom in our selfies. 

Hard, HARD Days

Since Laiklie was going to be at girls camp all week and the boys were all working I headed right out Monday morning to be with my mom for a few nights. Arnica and I had both planned to stay Monday night so dad could sleep in his own bed for the night. Us kids tried to do that as often as we could to get dad some much needed rest. We had a fun visit Monday, but on Monday night mom had an AWFUL night. She was up over and over again. She had some things bothering her and some pain and just couldn't get settled. Finally sometime between 3-5am she asked for her coat and to be moved to the couch. Arnica and I got her comfortable there and she slept and slept and slept. We had a hard time waking her up even for just a few minutes and could tell changes were happening quickly in her body. The nurse stopped by for her routine visit and she told us from how mom's body was jerking occasionally that she thought the cancer had possibly moved to her brain and her brain was making her limbs jerk to make sure they were still working. We called Jenny and she came out and stayed Tuesday night with us girls. Dad and all 3 of us camped out in the living room next to mom that night.

Us girls, mom and dad had a great night together, but again, we could tell things were happening fast in mom's body and on Wednesday we decided it was time to start gathering the boys and grandkids as well. Mom was still awake and alert for alot of what was going on, but she struggled with her speech. We could tell she was seeing things from the other side of the veil from things she was saying to us (like "hand it to mom" "are you coming too?" "how long do we have to make them wait?") It was very neat to be a part of the things mom was getting to witness. I will forever be grateful. 

 

Girls Camp 2021

Laiklie got to go to Girls Camp this year with our new ward. She was super hesitant about going with the Foothill Ward instead of the Milo Ward, but when her cousin Sage asked to go with her she decided it was going to be great!

The Relief Society feeds the girls breakfast in this ward as a tradition before they leave that morning. It was so fun to get to be there with them and feel of their excitement before they left. We have great leaders in this ward and they sent several pictures home to the mom's throughout the week so I was able to see in each of the pictures that not only was Laiklie having a great time, but she was making new friends. I will forever be grateful for girls camp and ALL the things it does for our young women. I'm so glad she got to go and had an amazing time.

*also...side note...apparently her and the bishop's daughter Quinn slept in the same twin size top bunk on the bunk bed all week. HAHAHA! There were plenty of beds, so them choosing to do this makes me laugh. Funny girls! 

 

Charles and Bessie Hawkins Reunion

Ryan and I made a quick trip on the weekend of June 26-27 to a tiny town called Donnelly, Idaho for his Charles and Bessie Hawkins family reunion. Charles and Bessie are Ryan's great grandparents. His dad, mom and sister Katie's family were able to go too. His Aunt Roma was there as well. Ryan was able to see a couple of his great uncles that he hadn't seen in years and meet several of his dad's cousins. We were only there for the day, but had a great time visiting and eating lunch with the family. Stan and his sister are the only LDS members of the family so it was interesting to attend a reunion where they didn't pray over the food. There was one relative there that had had a couple beers at least before lunch. :) Definitely different then what we are used to. It was so fun to hear all the stories of Ryan's grandpa Chuck that his dad had learned from the family the night before we got there. I loved the way they did the posters for each family showing their decedents. I'm always grateful for opportunities to learn more about those who came before us. I'm glad Ryan and I made the quick trip. 

 

Ali's Bridal Shower

Oakley, Laiklie, my sister Jenny and I jumped in the car on June 25th and made a quick trip to Preston to be with Arnica and her girls for Ali's bridal shower. Even if it's a quick trip it's fun to be together. We did leave the windows cracked just a little bit so the car wouldn't be so hot while we were at the shower and it dumped and dumped rain so we had a few wet butts on the way home. Lol!

 

Grain Bin Runners

This summer I did a lot of running forgotten parts to the grain bin crews. Every time I had to run I tried talking Laiklie into going with me. It was always more fun with her! Somedays, if she knew she got to see cousin Ethan, I could talk her into it. Once she saw how cute some of the grain bin boys were it didn't take much talking after that. Hahaha! 

 

Enjoying the Sunshine

Cody's family was able to run out and visit mom and dad. Him and dad loaded mom in her wheelchair and used the sketchy 4-wheeler ramps to get her out in the yard to enjoy the flowers and sunshine. I love these pictures Cody sent us, especially the last one. I love the way she's looking up lovingly at dad even when he doesn't notice.