Just what we needed!

Saturday morning at the Bountiful Temple. Nothing but pure joy and hope found here!

FINALLY!!!

So if it hasn't been a big enough week already~ we thought we might add just a little more excitement! Friday night was Shayla's last dance solo competition. She competed advanced this year which proved to be a difficult level! She has danced well, but has come up short of taking 1st. That is until Friday when the judges awarded her First Place! She was thrilled to end the year on a positive note!

"Our 1st place Shay"

But before that on Thursday, April 28th, after 5 years, yes that is not a typo, 5 years of waiting, 2 surgeries and lots of patience, Mckena finally got her braces off!

Before.....

...and after!

Beautiful! I would highly recommend Dr. Bret Coleman. We love him and his whole staff! About a year into Mckena's treatment is when Chelsea was hurt, and Dr Coleman graciously wrote off the remainder of our balance. What a true act of kindness. :) We are forever grateful to him for that. It was a great blessing.

Also on Friday, I got a surprise call from Elder Franklin! President Holzapfel just wanted them to call home and let parents know that all was well with them from all the disaster that has hit. It was so great to hear his voice. He is well, and once again we feel blessed.

Saturday was the day we refer to as Chelsea's Angel Day. Four years ago on April 30th, 2007 was the day she returned to Heavenly Father. The day brings both memories of good and bad. But we had something to help keep our thoughts good. Sat was also Shayla's team dance comp. We had to be at Taylorsville High by 9:00 a.m. and we were there until 9:30 p.m.! Yikes... such a long day. But her team danced well, they took a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place. I am so proud of my teams, they took all three 1st places! WOO HOO :)

Then last but not least, Mckena received her Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday after our Stake Conference. I have wanted her to get it for awhile now, but she didn't feel ready. I am proud of her for waiting and doing it when SHE wanted to. That has proved to be one of the more spiritual experiences for me as a mother. To be able to hear the blessing specifically to my children, directly from our loving Heavenly Father.

It was beautiful and I have to share: the moment Patriarch Doney began, I physically felt angels enter the room, and I know one of them had to be Chelsea. So grateful for those sacred tender mercies.

And after a week like that...... we all took a long Sunday nap!

Angels Among Us ~April 27th

Tornados all over Alabama and Mississippi, but thankfully for now all missionaries are safe and accounted for. The closest one to Elder Franklin was about 59 miles away. Some Elders have been moved to safer areas. We are so thankful that he is safe! President Holzapfel is keeping us updated about every 6 hours. He is wonderful and doing all he can to take care of those in his charge.

Also, Mckena and Shayla tried out on for the Syracuse High Dance Line. I am happy to report that they both made it! Mckena was chosen as President. They drew numbers to find out what order they would tryout with. Shay drew #18 and Mckena drew #2o which put them in the same group! What are the chances of that? They are both excited to spend next year dancing and spending choice time together.

And also today was our dear Chelsea's birthday. We can't help but feel her love and watchful care as she was with all of us today in one way or another. We had so many wonderful friends and family members remember her this day and that means the world to us!
For a day that started out very emotional and rough, we ended the day knowing that there truly are angels among us, in more ways than one!

Music to my Ears

Chelsea, Brooke, Heidi

Yesterday we we were able to attend the Homecoming of one of Chelsea's dearest friends Brooke Evans. She had a wonderful mission and shared with me some experiences and testified to me that there were many times she felt Chelsea's spirit. She said she knew that Chels was there testifing and touching hearts along with other unseen beings as she worked in the Trail Center talking about Pioneers and those who had gone on before us. I could have listened to her talk for hours, and wanted to hear more, but I was not the only one there to welcome her home.

Pioneer Trek

Chelsea has a testimony of the Pioneers

April 2007 in Arizona over Spring Break

There was also another friend of Chelsea's attending the homecoming with his mom. He introduced me as, "This is Chelsea's mom." That is a title I have not heard in a while, but I will gladly hold it forever!

Mother/Daugher "make over your mom" YW night

Girls Camp ~ Chelsea's first year

This month brings those darn outburst of heartache and tears as we both celebrate her birthday and mourn her loss. But the GOSPEL IS TRUE, and I am so thankful for the gospel the blessings of ETERNAL LIFE. Because of the Gospel I was able and am still able to experience so many special times with her. So with that, you can see why all these things were MUSIC TO MY EARS!

23 Years of...

Love, trails, struggles, compassion, work, no work, kids, loss, heartache, communicating, fun, vacations, hospital stays, apartment living, house building, moving, laughs, tears, companionship, disappointments, surprises, joy, date nights, temple trips, and did I mention love? And yes.... I would do it all over again, and hope that we have at least another 23 + years ahead of us still.

(making sure there is no lipstick on my teeth)

Rich and I celebrated our 23 Wedding Anniversary on March 22. When I met this sweet guy of mine 24 years ago, I had no idea what lied ahead of us. The struggles that we would go through of losing our beautiful daughter Chelsea, who had brought so much light and life to our family, brought so many other difficulties along with it. But the blessings of our Temple marriage have far exceeded my expectations! I did not anticipate such struggles in life, and yet with the help of our loving Heavenly Father, we have been able to strengthen our marriage and love one another on a level I did not know existed. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and led me to such a man that would love me, care for me, and our family, and most importantly take me to the Temple. I want nothing less than for my children to find the one for them that will bring such happiness and blessings to their lives.

Shayla sent me the cutest text on our anniversary, it read: Happy Anniversary I love you and I'm so glad you have such a good marriage :) Have a good day.

And with that... we did!