A Hard Bitter Sweet Week

Exactly 11 years ago this past Friday night we spent time with the entire
Nuttall family to celebrate our wedding.  Friday, January 18, 2013 we were once
again surrounded by our Nuttall family, but this time in honor of
our dear Grandpa Nuttall who passed away early Wednesday morning.

This past week was sweet as Brian & I went to the hops-fiddle (as Grandpa
would say) to say our good bye's.  I said to Grandpa when we were leaving,
"Grandpa, I don't know when I'll see you again,... I love you Grandpa!"
A man who never shares his emotions looked at me and said,
"I like you too!"
I choked back the tears as Brian and I quietly left the room
and walked silently hand in hand to our cars.

While I was going through pictures for the slide show we
were making, I found this picture of Grandpa & Grandma.

They have always been best friends.  I have an even
stronger desire to follow their example.

Doug & Lavon have been the perfect All-American grandparents.
The T.V. was always on with the latest sports team playing, most often BYU
while Grandpa watched and silently cheered.  Meanwhile, Grandma would
be visiting and offer to serve anything in her kitchen like a "cold glass of ruby
red squirt or a nice tall glass of cold milk with a big slice of chocolate cake ".
You could never say "No"!
Soon, Grandpa would walk into the living room, have a seat, and then- listen.
He would listen while you talked about your hopes & dreams, your trials  & joys.
Anything from work & family to politics & religion.
He was and is Brian's hero.  The man who taught Brian
the importance of integrity & hard work.
He will be greatly missed, but has inspired our hearts for years to come.

Brian was an honorary pallbearer and because Grandpa was Provo
City's Battalion Chief for 30 years, the firefighters were so supportive
& did an amazing tribute to him.  The most touching was the "final call to duty."

The following pictures are too powerful for words...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved this picture of Brian's cousin explaining what was taking place.

Then I looked over and saw Brian explaining to Jackson

Grandma was so sweet the entire week.  When we went to her house Wednesday night,
she said to me, "Wasn't the hospital wonderful!  And...it was terrible too."
I knew she had loved being with family, but was sad to see her best friend go.

Grandma drove away looking like a movie star. She is beautiful & wonderful

and we are so blessed to have her.

The luncheon after was so nice being with family.

(Don't let the cute smile let you believe this little chick in
 hot pink was easy during the funeral!)

I love this little baby and her big brother too.

I hope that Jackson will grow up to be like Grandpa Doug, who

he was named after, and be full of integrity & hard work.

Until we meet again Grandpa... We Love you!

Jackson... Home Sick

I am so behind in blogging and journaling our family life, but
I need to start somewhere & play catch up.
Today is a good day for that, because I am sure
this is a day Jackson will remember.

I am waiting for a phone call from Kim or Teresa, the secretaries at the school,
telling me that Morgan or Jackson has broken a limb.

Today, I got a call.  "Jackson threw up in class.
Will you please come and get him."

Umm... ya sure you don't want to keep him there?

The poor kid was mortified! 

Landon had been sick last night
and Brian took care of him, but Jackson didn't show any
signs this morning of being sick, so I let him have a full cup of
strawberry yogurt... yeah, I owe his teacher HUGE!

Mrs. Bates is an angel- seriously! 
She was so concerned for Jackson about feeling embarrassed
and told me to just give him a big hug and let him know it was okay.
I love her!

Then, she had each of the kids color
"Get Well" cards for him.

Jackson was a little happy about that.
My favorite cards were from his 2 good friends,
 Brinlee and Makell.  I love what they wrote in their cards.
"I like you vere much!"
and
"Get well soon!!  Get Better.  We all miss you."

He and Landon watched movies all afternoon with
gatorade and crackers.  We haven't had the flu for 5 years!
I guess we are a little over due.... Blah!

 

 

Bynn's First Week Home

The kid couldn't get enough of Brynlie this first week. They all took lots of turns holding her, kissing her, and trying to remember to support her head.  She is so little and all of the clothes I had that I thought would fit her were a little too big.  Grandma Smith gave her this adorable little monkey outfit that fits her perfectly!

Yeah, she's kind of like our little doll.

 

 

 

Cute little bum...

 

We had so many people do wonderful things for us.  We had meals brought in by
the Relief Society sisters, friends, neighbors, & family for the entire first week.  Karen took the kids to play and swim all day and they had a blast and my Mom helped with the kids and  included us in their Father's Day Dinner so I wouldn't need to cook.  Then some of my closest friends brought in additional meals the following weeks, talked to me, watched my kids for the afternoon so I could sleep, called to see if I needed help, came and helped with my kids, and one close friend brought over her crew of daughters to watch my kids while she cleaned my house- and yes, I mean cleaned my entire house! She vacuumed, mopped, scrubbed the bathrooms, & talked to me all while I sat on my king size bed
watching soap operas and eating chocolate and fed Brynlie.
I tell ya, Brian, my family, and friends made me feel like a Queen.

So many people have been so kind to me with clothes & beautiful blankets for Brynlie and what has meant the most to me is the outpouring amount of love I, along with my family have received from so many.

I don't know what I would do without any of them. I wish that everyone could come
home from the hospital with the kind of support I had when we came home.  

One day SIL Rachelle came to help with the kids while I rested.  She played with them, took them on a walk, and fed them lunch. Then she took them to a friends house (the Henry's) to play.  I was so tired and a little emotional due to the new flow of milk that I needed as much sleep as possible.

When I woke up I came out to find a couple of bags of groceries on the counter along with a wrapped package and homemade bread and strawberry jam.  I was very confused as to where it came from.  I felt like I was a detective trying to figure it out.  I soon realized the groceries were from Rachelle and the bread & beautiful blanket were from my dear friend Sis. Bliss.  She has made a blanket for Hallie, Landon, & now Brynlie.   She taught me how to make her fabulous homemade bread (Brian's favorite) when we served in Primary together.  She & Larry are like family to us. We are so blessed to have so many amazing people around us.

Brian is a little tired here I think.  I think I made him work too hard. 

This is how Landon feels about not being the baby anymore.  

 

Jackson & Morgan love to hold Brynlie and Jackson really needed a haircut. ;)

 

Yay, we got a little smile from Brynlie.  She gets so happy whenever
one of the kids walks into the room and starts to talk to her.  She cries if she
is in the room by herself.

Hallie has been so funny lately- well actually she is always funny.  Today she asked me if she could have a swim party for her birthday. I explained that her birthday is in February so we can't go swimming outside.  She asked if her birthday was by Grandpa's and I told her it was by Daddy's so she asked if Daddy had a "swim birthday"  I told her that it is usually snowing when it is her and Daddy's birthday. She got the saddest look on her face and said,  "I don't want to have a snow birthday, I want to have a swim birthday."
Yeah, Daddy feels the same way.  I told her that maybe we could go to a indoor swimming pool on her birthday.  I am so glad we are planning a birthday that is 7 months away.

Hallie's collection.  She had her loving family all set up at the beach while she slept.

Our cute & sweet baby- we love those eyes.