In Memoriam....

Today has been one year since my sweet Grandpa passed away. I felt like it would help me to you all about this man that I loved so much. Gary Morris was the best man I have ever known. I had an especially close relationship with him, I think, partly because I was the first Grandchild. He was and continues to be a great influence in my life. He always gave me encouragement and told me how much he loved me. I remember him always asking me if I was to old to give him a hug and a kiss. But, of course, I never was. I was not able to be there when he passed away, but I would have given anything to be able to give him one last hug. I do know that I will see him again, I know that he is happy and busy doing the Lord's work. I know that he is with Brian (my uncle, his son that passed away in 1999)and other loved ones. I can credit my Grandpa with helping me to learn the value of hard work. He was a brick mason and he use to have us clean old brick with hammers, and then stack them on pallets. He would then pay us with an official paycheck, just like the one's he paid his other employees with. I remember feeling so proud of myself when he handed me my check. It was my first experience with working and earning money. I called my Grandma today to check on her and see how she was doing. She said that she feels Grandpa's presence, and that she knows that he has helped her with decisions that she has had to make. I know this is true, I know that he is mindful of all us, still. I miss him dearly, but am glad that he was relieved of all the pain and suffering he had gone through. I look forward to the day when we will all be together as a "forever family". I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of life after death. As my Grandma said tonight when I was talking to her.... "What would we do without the Gospel?"

Happy 8th Birthday, Dillon!

Yesterday was Dillon's 8th Birthday. Gosh, how time flies! I can hardly believe that it has been eight years since my first little bundle of joy was born. When I say "joy", I mean it! We were so excited to welcome Dillon into our lives. He was the cutest little baby that I had ever seen. When he was first born, I remember just melting immediately when he looked at me with his BIG, beautiful eyes. Dillon is extra special to everyone because he was the first grandchild and first nephew on both sides of the family. Dillon is super smart and has an amazing memory. He can tell you anything that you want to know about Dinosaurs. My brother Brandon said it is like listening to an encyclopedia when he talks about them. He also does a mean impersonation of a T-REX! Dillon is also a very sweet and kind hearted boy. His teacher, Mrs. Barber says that he is always kind and wants to be friends with everyone. He and his sister Ashlynn enjoy playing and fighting :) with eachother. They especially like to play the Wii together. Dillon and his baby sister Samantha have a special bond. Whenever Samantha gets hurt or is sad, she always runs to Dillon to comfort her. She cries when Dillon goes to school because she misses him.
We are so proud of Dillon for making the decision to be baptized next month. We are looking forward to spending that special day with him.
Dillon, we love you and thank you for continuing to be such a JOY in our lives.




For his birthday, Dillon chose to go to the Luxor and have the buffet and go to the Dinosaur IMAX movie. It was a lot of fun except that Samantha decided she had to go to the bathroom 10 minutes into the movie. I had to leave to take her and they do not let you back in once you have left. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy, considering that I had spent $24.00 on my ticket. Good thing she was free though! Kids, what are ya gonna do about it?!










We were able to meet some friends at the park today for cake. Thank you to Sabrina, Luke, Isabel, and Sylvia Vincent, Kollen, Aden, Morgan, Austin, and Maryn Marchant, Tara Reynolds, Shawna and Josh Bushman, for coming on such short notice. I know that it meant a lot to Dillon.... and it meant a lot to me.