The Highlight of My Day: January 2010

Something good happens each day. Here's what happened in January:

Fri 1/1/10: Today was our annual bowling on New Years Day with the Harmans! We bowled, ate yummy food, played Nerts and other games, and visited with Brad's extended family.

Sat 1/2/10: We had 7 of Bruce and Loralee's kids over for a sleepover last night. Today we had a great time looking at old pictures with Bruce and Loralee.

Sun 1/3/10: Lizzy made Mama and Papa so happy today! She is just a huge bundle of joy! She had a great time playing mouth games with Papa and making Mama laugh. She is so cute!

Mon 1/4/10: I introduced finger foods to Lizzy today. She really wanted my cookie so I gave her half. She sucked and sucked. Tonight during dinner I sliced some toast for her and she loved sucking on that as well. Rosie liked it, too. Rosie got to eat the stuff that ended up on the floor.

Tue 1/5/10: Lizzy keeps being the highlight of my day lately... she's just so much fun! Tonight Brad and I tried to go to bed by 11:00, but Lizzy had other ideas. So Brad and I took her out of the crib and began playing with her. She got a kick out of Brad's mini flashlight. Lots and lots of laughter in our room tonight!

Wed 1/6/10: It was funny watching Rosie be Lizzy's shadow today. Lizzy just started learning how to eat Cheerios, and most of the Cheerios end up on the floor. Rosie gets about 1 out of every 3.

Thu 1/7/10: I relieved a lot of tension and sadness today by writing in my journal. Things have not been easy lately, and it was great having an outlet to sort out my thoughts and release some repressed emotions.

Fri 1/8/10: Amanda is here in town! She came to visit Margaret, who's in the hospital. Tonight Brad's dad took Brad, me, and Amanda out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Lizzy came, too.

Sat 1/9/10: We bought a crib for Lizzy today from KSL.com. We'll be switching Emma's and Scott's room so Lizzy can share a room with Emma.

Sun 1/10/10: We had a family gathering tonight. All of Brad's siblings were able to make it. We talked, laughed, and cried. All of us miss Margaret.

Mon 1/11/10: I had a cheerful moment early this morning-- I had all three kids in bed with me, plus one large standard poodle spread out across our legs. It was a great way to start out the day.

Tue 1/12/10: Scott and Emma were able to go to their activities tonight. Emma made a jar of cookie dough mix, and Scott went swimming to get a merit badge. Both were happy they were able to go.

Wed 1/13/10: I am grateful for my wonderful husband. He is so strong and courageous. He has gone through so many difficult times but he always comes out standing taller than before. I love him and admire him very much.

Thu 1/14/10: I finally got to see Margaret in the hospital tonight. She is so very ill, it breaks my heart. But I am grateful that I went to visit her and tell her I love her.

Fri 1/15/10: Today was preparation day. Margaret will be passing away either tomorrow or Sunday. I am so thankful for Brad's family to lean on during hard times.

Sat 1/16/10: We said our last goodbyes and took Margaret off of life-support. She passed away at around 10:25 pm. While it was a sad experience overall, it was also special being there with Margaret as she slipped away from this life into the next. I am happy that all of her children were able to be there and most of her siblings.

Sun 1/17/10: I was searching through photographs of Margaret today. I want to have a display of pictures for her funeral on Wednesday.

Mon 1/18/10: Tonight we had a HUGE combined family home evening with Brad's extended family. It was truly a wonderful experience. We took turns telling stories and memories of our beloved Margaret. She was such an amazing lady!

Tue 1/19/10: I put about 30 various photos of Mom together for a display at the church tonight for the viewing. Brad and I also finished the programs for the funeral as well. It was neat seeing so many family and friends at the viewing.

Wed 1/20/10: Today was Mom's funeral. It turned out beautifully. We had a good size number in the chapel. Marian, Brad, Bruce, Sandy DeGraw, and Dad spoke at the funeral. Ruby White sang "Be Still My Soul," Loralee played a primary melody, and Marilyn played "O Divine Redeemer" on the violin.

Thu 1/21/10: Zach and Amanda took us out to lunch today at Applebees. It reminded me of all the fun times we had at our Wednesday lunches with Mom. Afterwards Zach and Amanda played "Nerts" with us at our home. I won. Later in the evening we had dinner at Marian's house and played "Nerts" there, too. I won again. When did I become so good at "Nerts"?

Fri 1/22/10: It was nice having a little bit of normality in our lives again, but I found myself missing Margaret quite often. Life isn't normal without her. I went through pictures again, trying to find more photos and videos of Mom so I can make a CD.

Sat 1/23/10: Brad and I watched "I Remember Mama" together. Such a sweet movie! I made breakfast for dinner tonight, which the kids loved. We had ham, eggs, and pancakes. Scott was thrilled that I didn't make any vegetables. I guess it doesn't happen too often.

Sun 1/24/10: Emma gave her talk in Primary today on the first Article of Faith. After church we watched a Janice Kapp Perry special on the BYU channel, then we watched "The Five Children and It" I got from the library. Bruce and Loralee's family came in the evening.

Mon 1/25/10: Scott and Emma are enthusiastically cleaning their rooms tonight. Brad gave them a highly motivated speech during FHE about switching bedrooms and what they would get as a reward if they finish by Saturday afternoon. They got so excited they couldn't contain themselves and begged their dad to finish FHE early so they could start working on their rooms early.

Tue 1/26/10: Emma found out during her Achievement Day activity that I would be going to a YW pajama party tonight. She begged and begged to let her go too so I agreed and we went together. She had a very fun time and can't wait until she's old enough to go every week.

Wed 1/27/10: I bought airline tickets to go to Long Beach! I am keeping it a secret from my parents, so hopefully no one spills the beans.

Thu 1/28/10: Marian, Natalie, and Travis showed up at our house tonight to celebrate John's birthday. They brought a yummy German Chocolate cake and ice cream.

Fri 1/29/10: Watched "The Mary Tyler Moore" show with Brad before going to bed. It's been a while since we've watched TV alone together-- so busy!

Sat 1/30/10: Scott and Emma finished switching their rooms today! YAY! In the afternoon we headed to Leatherbys and had delicious ice cream sundaes. In the evening we went to the Harman's and had dinner and played games with them.

Sun 1/31/10: We had dinner at Bruce & Loralee's house tonight. Loralee made delicious beef stew and homemade bread. Lindsey made us brownies.