What a weekend! Full of love, emotion, and unforgettable memories!
Tyleigh and Rylan came down to visit, so we were all together - which already made it special!
On Saturday, Rod took Tyleigh, Carsyn, and Rylan boating (crazies!). You know, because it was a super warm day in April to get in the lake! 😏
Later that day, all of us went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. Camryn, just one day away from her due date, was such a champ! She walked the entire garden without complaining once. Carsyn was a trooper too, and did the entire garden on her scooter, still unable to bear weight on her foot.
The gardens were absolutely stunning. Tulips always have been - and probably always will be - my favorite flower. Being outside in the sun, surrounded by so many signs of Spring, felt like a deep breath for my soul. What made it truly meaningful was simply being together as a family.
Pansies, especially this color, will always remind me of my Grandma Ila and my sweet sister, Traci. They both loved these pansies so much.
I love that this felt a little like what I imagine Holland would feel like.
It is still on my bucket list!
Cute little pregnant mama - one day away from her due date!
These girls are my whole world.
We laughed that her whole body just about fit in these shoes! She's so petite!
Rod and I had never seen the Tree of Life Garden before, and this year it hit especially hard. With a new baby on the way and my dad growing weaker, the message of Christ's Atonement felt more personal than ever. The scene of the empty tomb and the Tree of Life brought tears to my eyes. The spirit was so strong as I was reminded of hope and eternity. It's where I am drawing my strength from right now.
We realized that this was the iron rod and had to take a picture of our own "Iron Rod" with it!
Forget Me Nots will always be a favorite flower and will always remind us of President Uchtdorf's talk.
After the garden, we visited the butterfly biosphere. Only a few butterflies landed on us, but watching everyone get caught up in the magic of it was so sweet!
Then we went to the dinosaur museum - mostly for nostalgia's sake - and it didn't disappoint!
We ended the day with Costa Vida for dinner and games at home. We laughed so hard that I worried we might send Camryn into labor! That laughter was such a gift and was so good for the soul!
Easter Sunday was incredibly special.
I think it was the first time in years that we've all been to church together. The service was mostly music, which always touches my heart and fills me with the Spirit. Later, we had my mom and dad over for Easter dinner.
This little scene cracked me up - Annie had to be part of everything while Tyleigh and Rylan did homework.
He has the cutest face. Our little Easter bunny!
And a little Easter nap before dinner.
These two were the only ones that stayed dressed up long enough to get a picture - everyone else changed the second we walked in the door. It's okay. They are pretty cute!
It was hard to see how much weaker my dad looked - more frail than I've ever seen him. We recently learned that his leukemia has mutated into a new disease. For now, they're calling it Myelodysplasia, but it may be progressing toward acute leukemia, which is terminal. The prognosis isn't good.
After dinner, my mom asked Rod, Brantson, and Rylan to give my dad a blessing. Brantson did the anointing, and Rod gave the blessing. As the three of them placed their hands on my dad's head, the Spirit was so strong - it truly felt like angels were in the room.
Rod didn't speak for a long time. Then he cried. In my heart, I knew what was coming - I could feel that he was being pulled to release my dad from his earthly calling. I wanted to tell him not to say it, not to make it real . . . but deep down, I already knew.
Rod gave my dad such a tender blessing. He spoke of the good man my dad is, and how proud Heavenly Father is of him. He told him he had fulfilled what he was sent here to do. My dad was never promised healing. I waited for those words, but they didn't come. Instead, Rod reminded him and us that families are eternal and that we will see my dad again.
Everyone in the room was sobbing - the kind of grief that's heavy, sacred, and full of love. Afterward, Rod embraced my dad and told him how much he loves him. My dad went around the room and hugged each of us. Then he sat down and told us that being a husband, a father, and a grandfather has been the greatest honor of his life. He and the girls shared some fun memories of their childhood and the times they spent with him.
I will forever be grateful for that moment. It was one of life's tender mercies - a moment of love and connection not everyone gets. A chance to say I love you and thank you to a person who has deeply impacted our lives. It was one of the hardest, but sweetest moments to experience.
The circle of life is beautiful, messy, full of meaning, and sometimes really hard. There's so much about this mortal life that I don't understand, but I'm thankful for all of it. I'm blessed beyond words to have such an incredible partner to walk this path with, and am so lucky to be the mother of three amazing girls. While I haven't always agreed with my parents, I am so blessed to have had them both in my life this long.
I know I'll never be ready to say goodbye to my dad, but I also know that goodbye isn't the end - it's just for now. My dad has lived a life of service and love, and his example has shaped so much of who I am. I hope I can always live in a way that honors him.
On this Easter Sunday, I am more grateful than ever that "He is Risen" and because of that, I feel His love and peace.
