Update

It has been a long weekend that went by too fast. Claire and Jared arrived on Thursday. We had dinner with them then had to take Max home to bed. His breathing was off and we were worried. Friday Morning we took him to the Pediatrician. He had a chest x-ray to make sure he didn't have pneumonia. Lucky for us, the image came back clear. Max was put back on his breathing treatments every 4 hours. Nana Kay watched Max during his nap while Curtis, Claire, Jared and I did some shopping. Grandma Christie watched Max that night while we attended Grandpa Finch's viewing. I kept it together most of the night. I didn't cry until the very end when we were all leaving and I went to find my dad. He was standing over grandpa - it was the sweetest picture. I'm crying just thinking about it.
Saturday we headed back for the funeral. Grandma Christie took Max for us again. I had no chance of keeping my emotions under control. It all started when the morticians asked grandma it she was ready for them to close the casket. It all seemed very final. I was searching for tissues but there were none to be found.
We headed to the chapel for the program. My dad was the first to speak. I had completely soaked my one tissue. Curtis let me have his, but it was soaked in a few seconds. I resorted to a baby wipe then my sweet sister Lindsey kindly brought me a whole roll of toilet paper from the restroom. The children in the two rows ahead of me started at me while I blew my nose over and over. My niece, Kennedy, asked me why I cried so much. I had heard her ask Claire that question earlier and I copied her answer, "Because I love him so much".
My dad has 7 siblings. Each one gave about a 4 minute talk. Each talk was filled with memories and attributes I love about my grandpa. They all love him too. I think watching them cry is what made me cry the most. Curtis even cried a little.
The grave site was beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen so many flowers in honor of one person. Grandpa was in the Navy so we heard taps and the 21 gun solute. It was wonderful.
We took a picture when we got back to the church. Only 9 of the 43 grand-kids were missing. Grandpa has 62 great-grand-children but I'm not sure how many of them made it.
That evening we had a small birthday party for Kennedy. She had a beautiful pink castle cake. It was a happy time but we were all worn out from the days activities.
Sunday morning all of my siblings met at my parents house for one last meal together before everyone went home. Jared lives in Australia and we have not seen him in over 2 years. It was so great to be together. It seems like we do a lot of laughing when we are all together.
Lindsey and I drove Claire to the airport so we could have a little sister time. I'm always sad when she has to leave. I really wish she could move back home.
Tyler, Lindsey and family were the next to leave. We had lots of hugs and plan to see each other soon.
Jared was the hardest to let go this time. I couldn't say goodbye at my parents so I asked them to stop by when they were leaving. I hugged him several times and kept it together until he was out the door. Curtis let me hug him as long as I wanted (good therapy) and I cried... again.
For having dry eyes, I did a lot of crying this weekend.
We stayed home that evening but Jim and Christie stopped by with a gift for us. It was a beautiful drawing of the Manti Temple where my grandpa sealed us. Very thoughtful.
Now here we are back to Monday. Max has just peeked out of his room so I better go play mommy.

Grandpa

Bitter sweet, My grandpa passed away Sunday evening. I was able to spend a little more time with him before he passed, I even got to see him for about an hour Sunday morning.
He is a wonderful person and I am lucky to have his example in my life. He was a hard worker and loved time with family. He had a special talent when it came to card or board games. He made wonderful caramel and peanut brittle. He loved to sing and was learning how to play the organ. He gave me my patriarchal blessing. Curtis and I were sealed by him. He loved camping and fishing. He almost always wore Green.
He was kind to others and served those who needed it. I love him and miss him.

Spring

The earth surprised me today! My tulips are coming in. I'm so excited for them this year. I plated about a 50 new bulbs (well..new to me, my mom gave me hers cause the deer eat them).
Hooray for Spring!

Grandpa and Grandma Finch

Saturday Curtis and I went to Santaquin to visit my grandparents. I love them so much. It is difficult for me to visit them, getting old is hard. Grandma woke up grandpa to let him know we had come to visit. He kept his eyes open the rest of our time there. He seemed so tired and I felt bad to make him work so hard for us. He doesn't say much because it hurts to talk but when we left I heard his say I Love you.
I cried for about 5 minutes after we left. I love you was seldom said growing up. It wasn't until my brother, Jared, returned from his mission and decided we all needed to say it more often. Grandpa started telling me he loved me right after he had his stroke. I always knew he did but it really touches me when he uses all of his energy to tell me.
Happy Valentines Day! I love you.

Tree

So...by tradition, Curtis and I get a live tree for Christmas every year. We love the smell and there is something magical about picking out a tree. After new years we run into a little problem, we have had some hard times getting the tree out of our yard. The first year we had a truck so we took the tree to a green yard. The second year my dad took it away for us. Last year the city picked it up.
This year...We don't know what happened.
The city asked all trees be out on the curb by January 10th. We had ours out by January 3rd. It has been on our curb for about 5 or 6 weeks. I have notice the tree keeps moving. One day the truck will be facing the road then the next day it is turned 90 degrees. Today it is missing completely. We had talked to a few people about possibly moving the tree for us but we never had solid plans.
To whom ever took our tree, Thank you. We don't think the city would pick it up on a Saturday a month late. I really hope it's not an annoyed neighbor, I'm sure the tree has been an eye sore.

baby bump

Here he is. 2 months from today is my due date.
Yes, it is 6:30 in the morning....Max woke up at 3:30. Luck for me, he went back to bed. Not so lucky for me, I couldn't sleep.

ABC

I just finished making this poster for Max's room. I'm really excited to get it printed.

Alone?

Yesterday My Mother-in-law offered to take Max for a few hours after I finished work. Curtis was finishing up work so i ended up with 2 hours to my self. I can't remember the last time I was at home alone. It felt really nice. I wonder if I wasted all that time by taking a nap.

More reading

I tried again last night and Max recognizes/reads the words: Ball, Car, Mom and Dad.
Thank you Signing time! Max likes the praise he gets from reading. I tried to show off his new talent to his dad but Max just started signing whatever he wanted...I wrote car and he signed baby. I think he was testing me to see if I would notice.

DOG

I am so proud! Max read his first word today. I was writing on his Magna-doodle and showed him the word DOG. He first made the sign then said "Dog". I was shocked! Usually he just tells me the letters I used. I tried other words like Mom or Dad, cat, eat... He just pushed it away. I guess I will try again tomorrow.
I love him so much and I really need to celebrate his accomplishments more often.