The circle of life

On December 4, I started my journey to Utah to be with
my daughter Michelle while she waited the much anticipated
delivery of her daughter Macy. On the drive up, I got a
call from Mel telling me that he'd gotten a call from his
sister Linda, and she told him that his Mother Eleanor
wasn't doing very well, and that it could be hours or days.
We have had that scare before, and Eleanor always seemed
to pull out of it. But this was different. I got a call about an
hour later, and he told me that his Mother had passed away.
When I got to my exit, I drove straight to where the family
was gathered, with Eleanor before the mortuary came to
get her. On one hand, I was sad, because she was the best
Mother in law I could ask for. But on the other hand, I knew
that she was ready and hoping to go to the other side.
We let our kids know, and Tyler made plans to get his family
to Utah, and Melissa changed her flight plans, and headed
to Utah to be with the family. It was a very quick trip for
Tyler and family, but we were glad that he could be there
for the funeral. Melissa got to stay until Dec. 18th, then
flew to meet Andy in Colorado, where they were going
to be for Christmas and Andy's sisters wedding.



The trip was so quick for Tyler and family, that we didn't
even get a picture of them. Here is Stella and Sterling at
home before they came out for the funeral.



We were happy to be able to see Melissa and kids, even
though it was for a sad reason. I called it my "bonus"
visit.


With all the craziness, we wondered if Michelle would hold
out to deliver Macy, until after everything was over. We
were quite glad that Michelle could be at her Grandmothers
funeral, before she gave birth. Here she is at around 4:45 am
on her way out the door to deliver her first baby Macy.

I was pleasantly surprised when Michelle told me and
her Mother in Law Valerie, and Melissa, that we could stay
in the room with her during the delivery. That was pretty darn
special to witness the birth of my granddaughter. Clark was
quite the coach, and I got to hold on to one of Michelle's legs
during the delivery.

It was so sweet to witness Michelle welcoming her new
baby Macy shortly after she was born.

Daddy Clark with his new daughter Macy

Grandpa Mel with Macy

Yay, another grandchild.

This was Macy when she first arrived home. All bundled

up. It was very cold outside.

Grandma "Tutu"

Melissa was able to get a few newborn shots of Macy on her second day of life.

Stella was so excited to hold Macy. She said "Can I hold her and sing to her?" It

was so precious. Too bad she could only hold her for about a minute, because she

had a cold. As you can tell, she is thrilled, but Sterling doesn't know what's going on.

Clark, Macy and Michelle on Christmas Day

Macy hanging out with Auntie Julie

Michelle and Clark on their 1 year anniversary. I had to

take this, to contrast what a difference a year can make.

ha ha ha ha ha

Baby Macy having her first bath after her umbilical cord

fell off. She liked the majority of it. Tears happened at

the very end.

All warm and snuggly with Daddy, after the bath.

It's all a part of the circle of life. Someone leaves the earth

through death, and another comes in, through birth. Thank

heavens we have each other for ever!

Grandchild # 5 Macy V

Well, Macy has arrived. I think we had to wait a few extra days

for her, because My sweet Mother In Law wanted some time

with her in heaven before she'd let her go. Giving her some

last minute instructions. But she is beautiful. Alot like her

Dad, with touches of her Mother. We love her already. What

a wonderful thing it was to witness her birth.

Pizza and a movie

Jessica, Julie, Daniel, Hannah, Michael, Spenser, Jackie & Alex

Daniel, Julie, Michael, Spenser, Jackie, Jessica, Hannah & Alex

Julie teasing Jackie

Julie invited some friends over for some pizza and a movie. It

was a good group of friends, and they seemed to enjoy

themselves. Enjoy the pictures.

Mels birthday dinner

Mel's birthday came and went. He was gone to San Francisco

for the whole day. BUMMER. But the next day we made

sure we went out and celebrated. Julie wasn't home, Tyler

was taking Anna out for her birthday, so it came down to

Just Mel and I. I didn't mind. It was nice to have time

with just my birthday boy. We went to Lucille's barbecue

which is one of our favorites. Mel had the rack of ribs,

and I had tri-tip. Yum. He even got a little ice cream

Sunday.

New Moon Night and birthday party

Julie and Marissa are off to a double birthday bash, and then

to see New Moon. Oh, to be a teen again. = )

Trying to balance married life, children, married children and parents

At the BYU/San Diego State game in San Diego. We were

invited up to enjoy some box seats. We even had our own

bathroom!!!

Goofing off with Sterling and Stella

At Hudsons

I am always amazed at how much Stella mothers her

doll.

Eating at Hudsons

Stella really enjoyed the music

Stella in her flapper costume carrying her doll

At the South Carolina state fair. Stella on a tractor

Stella getting her picture taken in a banana costume

At the South Carolina fair with Karen too

Julie and Cambria at homecoming game

Alexia, Julie and Cambria

Sam and Grace on Halloween night

Our view in Santa Barbara

I'm not sure how good I am at balance. I try though. Sometimes I feel

torn. I want to see my married kids (Thanks Ty for living close and

making that part easier for me), grandkids, parents, and I want to be

here for my last child at home, and of course....my hubby. So this is

how I've done it the last month or so. On October 20th, I flew out

to South Carolina to see my daughter Melissa and her adorable and

wonderful family. I get an added bonus when I go there, because

I get to see the Rozmus family also. I spent 8 days with them, and

then flew home in time to see Julie cheer at one of her last football

games. The next night we went to Tyler's house and enjoyed

Halloween night with them. Then the next day, I was off to spend

5 days with my Mom in Santa Barbara while she was attending an

alternative medicine clinic. So.....how's that for "balance"?

Well, when I was in South Carolina, I had fun just letting Stella

and Sterling get re-aquainted with me. They were sick for

several of the days I was there, so our outing time was pretty

slim. I didn't even get to attend church, which is always a fun

time for me. I did help Melissa get halloween costumes done,

(She sewed, I held and helped kids) We went to dinner at

Hudsons, and I got to enjoy some barbecue from the South.
And some blues music, which Stella enjoyed.
So, I'll add pictures and see if it jogs my memory of anything

else.

On my brief stint home, I enjoyed watching Julie cheer.

When I went to Santa Barbara with my Mom, the thing I

thoroughly enjoyed, was being SO close to the ocean. We could

see the ocean from the living room, and we could hear the

waves at night. One afternoon my Mom and I went walking

and we sat on a bench to just gaze at the water, and we were

able to see some dolphins. I love being able to see dolphins

when I visit the beach.
I had to leave Santa Barbara early enough to get to the next

to the last football game, where they honored the Senior

students. So Mel and I escorted Julie onto the field. It was

an honor. = ) So, that is how I balanced my life this last

month. I try.....