tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75625464262360618582024-03-12T16:43:34.034-07:00Garrett W. RussellUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-67429753545916154132012-11-24T09:59:00.003-08:002012-11-24T09:59:56.488-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Buddies</span></div>
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Medium G and Big D. Such great buddies!</div>
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Me and my little men!</div>
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Aunt Ellen and the boys.</div>
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Melissa (Ellen's daughter) found these photos and sent them to me! A terrific early Christmas gift!</div>
Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-21193338209929333532012-08-31T13:57:00.001-07:002012-08-31T13:57:11.833-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Little treasures...</span></div>
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Every so often someone sends me a picture of Garrett that I don't have. It happened today! What a great birthday gift! My Aunt Ellen sent me a couple pictures of myself and Garrett at My Aunt Julie's house. I'm assuming it was a Jones party because that's where we usually have Jones parties! I am really grateful for the pictures I have of me and Garrett together. It makes me remember all the really great times we had together. He was my little buddy that did everything with me. Thanks, Ellen! You really made my day!</div>
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<br />Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-31066704004113754702012-08-31T11:24:00.002-07:002012-08-31T11:24:15.558-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Garrett!</span><br />
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Yesterday we had a little party remembering him. It was simple-frosting cupcakes and swimming with friends-but it's one of the traditions we have that I cherish. So glad we have friends who love to remember him with us!<br />
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Wow...9 years old. A big birthday. Each year I like to try and imagine the kinds of things he would have been doing and how our life would be different if he were still with us.<br />
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Fourth grade. Probably the same school as Dallin and most likely the same class! (Dallin is in a multi-grade level classroom 4-6) They would have LOVED being in class together. They probably would have spent a lot of time getting into trouble together. I wonder if they would be best friends, or if there would be some sibling rivalry? I'm thinking best friends...with a little competition.<br />
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Big brother to Maura. He was always so good to her. He loved entertaining her when she was so little. He would make funny faces, show her toys, do silly dances, and was happy to help me keep her happy. I would love to have him around now to play with Maura and help keep her happy! Many an afternoon I have wished for a playmate for her. He would have been perfect!<br />
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Rough and tumble, or sweet and quiet. Hmmm, hard one to predict. He was such a happy guy, sweet spirited and kind and was also a BOY by any definition of that word. Balls, trucks, climbing trees, playing in the mud. I'm assuming he would have followed anything his big brother is into: airsoft, bb guns, video games, swimming, friends, and all the stuff that is the best part of being a boy. So I'm thinking not as rough as Dallin and with a little sweet side.<br />
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What kind of student would he be? He gravitated to books and coloring more than Dallin ever did at a young age. I think he would have enjoyed school and it would have come easily for him. I remember him LOVING his preschool program and all that came with it. Coloring, painting, projects, singing, reading stories, meeting friends.<br />
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He would have been a super friendly guy. I remember him not being afraid to meet new people and even saying "hi" to complete strangers we would pass in the grocery store. He would have been a real social kid.<br />
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Our lives sure would be different were he still with us, but the one thing I do know is that even though we are not together now there will be a time when we will be reunited and those relationships we had will continue eternally. I look forward to that day.<br />
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Miss my Medium G!!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-3508267344090453382011-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:002011-08-24T13:56:09.205-07:00Sooo, Garrett's birthday is coming up next week.
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<br />We've been thinking about what to do to celebrate and remember. He would have been 8 years old this year!
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<br />Maura, naturally, thinks we should get a bunny because when you turn 8 you get baptized and you get a bunny.
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<br />Dallin wants to gather some friends and have a marsh-mallow gun fight.
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<br />They both agree on the cake and ice cream part of a celebration.
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<br />I have a movie my sister made of Garrett. I have never watched it.
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<br />It's been sitting in a little box with other things that belong to Garrett. Pictures, a favorite shirt, pieces of his favorite blanket, school work, trophies, and so forth. It's been nagging at me for a long time. I've always felt guilty that I haven't watched it.
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<br />She gave it to me right after Garrett died. I think it is a montage of pictures with music. I think we are going to watch it. It's been three years. I can do this. I know I'm going to cry and I'm okay with that. I'm actually pretty excited. I've thought about watching it several times and I've decided I'm going to wait until his birthday.
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<br />Now all we have to do is decide on what kind of cake to make...
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<br />Wish us luck!
<br />Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-41297720089196435372011-05-30T18:25:00.000-07:002011-06-01T16:12:55.521-07:00I've been thinking about Garrett and my mom all day.<br /><br />My sister, Gina, is so good about remembering to go to his grave to clean it up and bring flowers and such. I'm so grateful she does.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqp9nK9XlBY/TeRDqYFwV9I/AAAAAAAAARw/57BVD2fTNZE/s1600/100_4009.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqp9nK9XlBY/TeRDqYFwV9I/AAAAAAAAARw/57BVD2fTNZE/s320/100_4009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612685430910638034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Reese remembered that Garrett had a Winnie-the-pooh blanket that he loved to sleep with and she wanted to get him a little Winnie-the-pooh bear.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lXsGin7ECaM/TeRDqe9ziQI/AAAAAAAAARo/wqU6L4Xw9qE/s1600/100_4008.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lXsGin7ECaM/TeRDqe9ziQI/AAAAAAAAARo/wqU6L4Xw9qE/s320/100_4008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612685432756340994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today is also my mom and dad's 42nd wedding anniversary. Dad went to visit her and took some pictures while it was snowing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n34jJLUbix0/TeRDqISBGzI/AAAAAAAAARg/FG0F0F-C8gA/s1600/100_4005.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n34jJLUbix0/TeRDqISBGzI/AAAAAAAAARg/FG0F0F-C8gA/s320/100_4005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612685426667100978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I sure do miss them both.<br /><br />Edit:<br />Just got some photos from Gina that she took. Thanks, Geen!<br /><br />Reese, Jeff, Brady and Brannen helped decorate!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brY6rL2Xq3w/TebHGWfVUkI/AAAAAAAAAR8/req53GIKqlA/s1600/IMG_9336.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brY6rL2Xq3w/TebHGWfVUkI/AAAAAAAAAR8/req53GIKqlA/s320/IMG_9336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613392897494045250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYw8LkbIC3I/TebHG2X2SWI/AAAAAAAAASM/MjxvSJu6FHI/s1600/IMG_9351.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYw8LkbIC3I/TebHG2X2SWI/AAAAAAAAASM/MjxvSJu6FHI/s320/IMG_9351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613392906052585826" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3683NWy0Otg/TebHGmQnY7I/AAAAAAAAASE/f_toInK5N8o/s1600/IMG_9343.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3683NWy0Otg/TebHGmQnY7I/AAAAAAAAASE/f_toInK5N8o/s320/IMG_9343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613392901727282098" border="0" /></a>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-5247873673217653312011-05-24T13:40:00.000-07:002011-05-24T13:49:10.947-07:00I think about Garrett all the time but it's not the same as before. I don't have the gut-wrenching feeling of loss. I feel....peace.<br /><br />BUT, I still think about him.<br /><br />What new event would we be celebrating? End of school? Turning eight?<br /><br />What would he look like? Still blonde? I hope so! I'm a little out numbered.<br /><br />Would he be kind? Whiny? Tidy?<br /><br />Would he still have that silly haircut? or would he want long hair like his brother?<br /><br />I don't blog about it as much as I did. Not sure why.<br /><br />I still miss him, but not as much. Mostly I wonder about him.<br /><br />What is he doing now?<br /><br />Does he hang out with Grandma Jones and Great Grandpa Jones?<br /><br />Is he a missionary?<br /><br />Can he read and write his name?<br /><br />Does he watch us and wish he were here with us as much as WE wish he were?<br /><br />Mostly I just look forward to when we will be together again, because I know we will.<br />The knowledge of <a style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lds.org/plan/we-can-live-with-god-again?lang=eng">the plan our Heavenly Father has for us</a>, gives me the peace I finally feel.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-70065882178419934312011-05-24T13:10:00.000-07:002011-05-24T13:18:57.749-07:00I was looking through some old pictures and found a few that made me laugh.<br /><br />Dallin and Garrett were such great friends. They would play together for HOURS. They would come up with some pretty creative things to do too...<br /><br />On this day, they were just having fun in the back yard. Playing in a sprinkler I think.<br /><br />They unscrewed the sprinkler head and made a mud swamp and threw mud bombs at the wall,<br />Instead of yelling and getting mad I took a picture and chalked it up to "boys".<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGrprSlY3b4/TdwRIcjSjII/AAAAAAAAAMk/mwBispU13Hk/s1600/448.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGrprSlY3b4/TdwRIcjSjII/AAAAAAAAAMk/mwBispU13Hk/s320/448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610378072597630082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Going back inside I got busy doing something and the next thing I heard was a little rap on the door. Opening it, this is what I saw:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKbFl-25UWA/TdwRH_WqSSI/AAAAAAAAAMU/7v3y4nTG8Do/s1600/mud%252Bmonsters%252B001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKbFl-25UWA/TdwRH_WqSSI/AAAAAAAAAMU/7v3y4nTG8Do/s320/mud%252Bmonsters%252B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610378064760031522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then I made them pose like this:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhJnBtcZLkc/TdwRIBiJBLI/AAAAAAAAAMc/fmjU0dApUlg/s1600/415.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhJnBtcZLkc/TdwRIBiJBLI/AAAAAAAAAMc/fmjU0dApUlg/s320/415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610378065345053874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm so glad I got a good picture!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976995859653096732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-2674106692210985542009-08-12T08:57:00.000-07:002009-08-12T13:02:31.626-07:00Today would have been his first day of Kindergarten! I'm sure he would have LOVED it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SoLmqsqTfYI/AAAAAAAAEuk/jBabvsE8W5k/s1600-h/DSC05465.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SoLmqsqTfYI/AAAAAAAAEuk/jBabvsE8W5k/s400/DSC05465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369107326996544898" border="0" /></a><br />Things I think Garrett would have loved about Kindergarten:<br />-Walking to school with Dallin.<br />-Meeting friends and playing on the playground.<br />-Reading.<br />-Being a helper to his teacher.<br />-Singing time.<br />-Learning to write (especially write his name-he was excited to be able to do that).<br />-Taking his lunch to school (he was really excited about lunch boxes).<br />-Having me come to his class.<br /><br />I'm sure he would have loved everything about school. He was that kind of kid; excited, happy and enthusiastic about almost everything!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-43672829990630735922009-07-28T18:33:00.000-07:002009-07-28T18:45:56.545-07:00While in Wyoming, I found a lot of pictures of Garrett my dad had that I didn't. So, since I was scanning hundreds of pictures anyway, I added these and brought them home. I am just now going through them and organizing them then I'll get back to doing my Garrett book project.<br /><br />I'm glad I did my mom's book. Along with really loving the book, I learned a lot more about Booksmart and found some short cuts that will make my Garrett book easier and look better.<br /><br /><br />These are a few of my favorite pictures I found:<br /><br />Garrett (11/2yr. approx) and his Great Grandpa Jones<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-nFLAPHJI/AAAAAAAAErE/hAywKoP28-c/s1600-h/GreatGrandpaGarrett+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-nFLAPHJI/AAAAAAAAErE/hAywKoP28-c/s400/GreatGrandpaGarrett+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363689388516514962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hard to tell he is smiling with his 'binky' in, but I can sure tell by those squinty eyes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-nEz5vViI/AAAAAAAAEq8/nen8YmbB8lI/s1600-h/GreatGrandpaGarrett2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-nEz5vViI/AAAAAAAAEq8/nen8YmbB8lI/s400/GreatGrandpaGarrett2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363689382315251234" border="0" /></a><br />I'm sure he and Great Grandpa Jones are having a grand old time together now....<br /><br />Garrett when he was born and his Grandma Jones. They are spending some quality time together now too....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oOtW_xII/AAAAAAAAErc/ZGyGAVk1Yiw/s1600-h/9-11-03+058.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oOtW_xII/AAAAAAAAErc/ZGyGAVk1Yiw/s400/9-11-03+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363690651869234306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Love the smile on this kid, and the mischievous glint in his eye.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oO8MrJxI/AAAAAAAAErk/bAEixIFTG5Y/s1600-h/DSC07146.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oO8MrJxI/AAAAAAAAErk/bAEixIFTG5Y/s400/DSC07146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363690655852472082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He had my hair...straight on top, very fine and a lot of it. I was never sure what to do with it. We stuck with the same haircut for a long time and sometimes (obviously) I didn't do it very well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oORAR6AI/AAAAAAAAErU/m8qEdJG0IAA/s1600-h/DSC05465.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oORAR6AI/AAAAAAAAErU/m8qEdJG0IAA/s400/DSC05465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363690644257761282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He loved to be a 'cool dude' with his brother (and his dad in this picture). He could never get the hands quite right....I like this much, much better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oOHLajWI/AAAAAAAAErM/aprORL-WoQo/s1600-h/DSC066491.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sm-oOHLajWI/AAAAAAAAErM/aprORL-WoQo/s400/DSC066491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363690641620110690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've spent a lot of time thinking about and missing my little buddy today. *SIGH*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-23527072316956142912009-06-04T13:21:00.000-07:002009-06-04T13:28:00.661-07:00I've been working on my "Garrett Book". It's taking a LOOONG time. I was hoping to have it done before we headed north for a visit, but it's just not going to happen.<br /><br />I've been collecting pictures, stories and anything else I can find, scanning them and organizing for the last few months. I finally sat down a month ago to put it together. It takes a lot of emotional energy to do it. I realized that I also want to make sure I have everything in it that I want so I'd better not rush it. I'm the kind of person that needs to work on something, then put it away for a while, then come back to it with fresh eyes. It's a big project.<br /><br />One dilemma I have is what kind of 'voice' to use. Do I write in the book in third person "He always enjoyed making things..." or do I write as if I was speaking to Garrett "You loved helping in the kitchen".<br /><br /> How should I write? I need to decide fast, because already I'm 130 pages into it! HELP!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-36169438606490606462009-05-02T08:08:00.000-07:002009-05-02T08:21:20.398-07:00Another Garrett Memory...<br /><br />I woke up this morning remembering how Garrett would get up. <br /><br />He wasn't big on sleep. He was usually the last one asleep and the first one awake. Many times we would tuck the boys into bed and 20 or 30 minutes later we would catch a glimpse of blonde hair and beady eyes peeking around a corner. We usually had to tuck him in bed 4 or 5 times every night.<br /><br />In the morning he was easy to wake up (on the mornings that I got up first). I would go into his room and sit carefully on his bed and his eyes would pop open and he would jump out of bed like he was waiting for me and just pretending to sleep.<br /><br />On the other hand he did like to take naps as long as he had a sippy cup. I remember him being really little-2 or 3- and asking for milk (signing it of course) and his blanket. I told him if he wanted milk in a sippy cup he needed to go take a nap. I gave him the milk and he picked up his blanket and went to his room and took a nap!<br /><br />One vivid memory for me (this is what woke me up this morning) was Garrett getting up before anyone in the house. He was often awake at 5:30 or earlier. He would come into my room and stand at the edge of my bed (We have a really tall bed. He was eye level with me when I was lying down.)and stare at me. Often I would open my eyes to find us nose-to-nose and it scared me to death! If I didn't open my eyes with him just looking at me he would whisper "mom, mom" in a very soft voice. It would always startle me. He would do it sometimes if he woke up in the middle of the night. Rarely would he cry from his bed, he would come quietly into my room and whisper "mom, mom" and really get my heart thumping.<br /><br />I sure miss that!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-87227614458380960502009-05-02T00:10:00.000-07:002009-05-02T00:30:30.901-07:00Garrett StoriesIt's funny how time does strange things. Sometimes it seems to fly by and at other times it crawls so slowly. It seems like this year has gone in just a blink of an eye, but while we were trudging through it, it was a long year.<br /><br />In this last year I've tried really hard to write down stories and memories I have of Garrett so I don't forget them...so I don't forget him. I've had other people send me their memories of Garrett and I treasure them. I put them in a safe place and pull them out when I want to laugh, and cry-of course.<br /><br />Miss Marsha, Garrett's first preschool teacher and a friend sent me a letter today with some really wonderful memories she has of Garrett. Two full pages of memories-I love them. It was such a great thing to read today.<br /><br />These are a couple of them:<br />One day when Bekki was dropping him off for preschool, she told him, "Tell Miss Marsha what you want to be for Halloween." And Garrett said matter of factly, "The Holy Ghost."<br /><br />I can't think of Garrett without thinking of his cute blonde hair. His haircut fit him perfectly. And when I think of his hair, I think of the day he found one of the girls tiny little hair rubber bands on the floor during play time. he brought it to me and asked me to put it in his hair. I tried to talk him out of it, but h REALLY wanted it. As soon as I put it in his hair (he had a darling little pony tail sticking up on the top of his head), he immediately started showing off for the class making everyone laugh. He was having the time of his life making them laugh.<br /><br />My friend Angie wrote of Garrett:<br />Whenever we would be outside and Garrett would see us, he would put on a huge grin and come running toward the kids. He would see me and say, "Hey Mitchells Mom!" It always made me smile to hear him say it.<br /><br />One Sunday Morning I was getting Mitchell ready for Church. I was trying to talk him into wearing a stripped snap shirt. He kept telling me no, I don't want to wear it. I finally asked him why he didn't want to wear it. He said,"Because I really want to sit by Garrett today and he doesn't really like stripes so if I wear that shirt, I won't get to sit by him.<br /><br />Our neighbor Nancy who lives across the street had some good stories:<br /><br />Sister Yardley had some strange allure for Garrett. He loved to go over and talk with her. He would often look out the window and say "Mom, Sistey Yady needs me to go over to her house and help." She was so nice to let him come over and play. She said he always picked up after himself and then would tell her he needed a cookie before he went home. <br /><br />On several occasions after getting out of the shower I couldn't find him. I had left him watching cartoons and he wasn't there. After searching the house I frantically ran across the street and found him happily eating Sisty Yady's cookies. I had to really get after him and tell him not to leave the house without telling me!<br /><br />I could go on and on and on... I probably will sometime.If you have any fun (or silly, or scary, or sad) stories of Garrett I would love to add them to my collection. Please send them to me. It would make my day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-38556721986859995502009-04-08T16:31:00.000-07:002009-04-08T16:44:14.129-07:00My Aunt Ellen sent these great pictures to me. We were remembering Grandpa Jones on his birthday this week. These pictures were taken at Grandpa Jones' funeral.<br /><br />I hadn't seen these pictures before. Thanks Ellen, they sure did make me smile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sd00LKR_dMI/AAAAAAAAEFA/wFpaZ6pOmDE/s1600-h/hang+loose+Garrett.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sd00LKR_dMI/AAAAAAAAEFA/wFpaZ6pOmDE/s400/hang+loose+Garrett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322467700964816066" border="0" /></a><br />Love this face and the 'rock on' pose he would try to do. He would mistakenly use the ILY handshape instead. He thought it was so cool.<br /><br /><br />This is his super cousin Kylan. They were bestest buddies. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sd00Lcde_bI/AAAAAAAAEFI/bnKd-hNVkAo/s1600-h/garrett+and+Kylan.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/Sd00Lcde_bI/AAAAAAAAEFI/bnKd-hNVkAo/s400/garrett+and+Kylan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322467705844858290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />*Sigh*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-71147834445921879892009-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:002009-04-16T19:31:36.033-07:00Talking about Dallin and his new athletic cup and boys and their fascination with body parts reminded me of....<span style="font-size:180%;">"Wenis Man"!!</span><br /><br />That's what Garrett called himself when he discovered the flap in the front of his undies. He flipped out his penis and ran around the house yelling; "Look mom, I'm Wenis Man!"<br /><br />He made up the word himself. It must be a combination of Weenie and Penis....<br /><br />**EDIT** My sister reminded me that for quite a while Garrett would ask people "Wanna' see my Wenis?" and when they would politely decline his follow up questions was always "Why not?". I think my brother in law, Kelly is still laughing about that one...<br /><br />We laughed about it for days! We still do on occasion...<br /><br /><br />Okay, so the kid was preoccupied with body parts. Another funny story involving him and body parts was when we were visiting my sister Jennifer in Salt Lake City. My cousin Steve and his wife Marci and their kids were over playing and Marci needed to change Jackson's diaper. She went out on the back porch where the kids were playing and Garrett came over to watch.<br /><br />He watched with a very serious face and then exclaimed, "My dad's penis is bigger than his penis. My dad's penis is bigger than all your penises!"<br /><br />It still makes me laugh to think of that story and Marci trying to re-tell it while laughing uncontrollably!<br /><br />Oh, that kid could make me laugh! He still does on occasion...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-12905849850560095522009-04-07T15:15:00.000-07:002009-04-07T15:18:25.562-07:00I missed Garrett on April 1st...I didn't get to say "Happy Teasing Day" to him! Bummer.<br /><br />He was really excited last year to find some interesting things growing in our garden and loved showing it off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SdvQ7aVnsXI/AAAAAAAAEDo/J0Rzq4y2I6g/s1600-h/april+fools+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SdvQ7aVnsXI/AAAAAAAAEDo/J0Rzq4y2I6g/s400/april+fools+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322077103769235826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I didn't tease anyone this year. I just couldn't muster the energy. *sniff*<br /><br />Watch out next year!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-27018291929476930172009-02-09T18:32:00.000-08:002009-02-09T18:54:08.753-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Pine apples</span><br /></div><br />The other day I bought a pineapple at the store. Pineapples always remind me of Garrett (as do bananas, breakfast cookies, milk in a sippy cup, blankets on the couch, Wonder Pets, bubble gum...) and his great personality.<br /><br />We love to go on walks and often end up at the park down the street. It has a pond with ducks we can feed, a small playground, lots of grass to run on and pine trees. Every time we would go we would collect pine cones for projects and to decorate with.<br /><br />One day we were walking home from the park and Garrett was in front of us running, throwing rocks and hiding in the bushes to jump out and scare us. On the corner in someone's yard was a pine tree. As we got closer to the tree Garrett jumped out with such excitement in his face holding a pine cone and yelled "Look mom, I found a pineapple!!"<br /><br />That's why pineapples remind me of Garrett. (Who named them pine cones anyway? What a silly name for them. I think Garrett is exactly right-they are pine apples.)<br /><br />I was searching for a picture of us in the park, but I couldn't find one. So these are some fun pictures of a hike we took with some friends in Usery Park. We hiked with a lot of kids and a few adults. It was VERY exciting.<br /><br />You can see both my boys in red sweatshirts. I always tried to find shirts that were the same color when we went on adventures. It made them easier to keep track of.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SZDofD4BvXI/AAAAAAAADzA/mOjoNYwpy1k/s1600-h/on+the+trail.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SZDofD4BvXI/AAAAAAAADzA/mOjoNYwpy1k/s400/on+the+trail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300992381728963954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made it all the way to the top! Garrett was bugged that his hair was in his eyes...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SZDoezf3U-I/AAAAAAAADy4/mC_BTapJDHU/s1600-h/top+of+hike+pose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SZDoezf3U-I/AAAAAAAADy4/mC_BTapJDHU/s400/top+of+hike+pose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300992377332650978" border="0" /></a><br />He had such an excitement about him. He was my little adventurer always ready for something fun to do!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-79388609464292488332009-01-31T13:45:00.000-08:002009-01-31T14:02:29.250-08:00There is a family in our ward that is very special to us, the Pew family. They are a little farther along in life than we are-their kids are mostly grown and gone-but for some reason we have a special attachment to them. <br /><br />In church we tend to sit in the same area every Sunday. David and Laura Pew usually sat either with us or near us. Garrett loved Laura. He would find her and sit on her lap and have her read stories to him (he did that to several "grandma's" in our ward, but Sister Pew was something special.) Laura would often comment that Garrett reminded her of one of her boys when he was young.<br /><br /> (Side note: Garrett was such a friendly guy. He wasn't afraid to meet new people. At church he was the self appointed "greeter" and loved to stand at the door and shake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everyone's</span> hand. He was sad when people overlooked him and didn't shake his hand and thrilled when kids and adults would shake his hand and let him say hello...but I digress)<br /><br />When Garrett died, it was really hard on Sister Pew. He was a special little guy to her. Recently Sister Pew lost her mother as well. We've become friends through sharing tears and hugs and stories. <br /><br />A couple weeks ago she came to me and asked if she could borrow a family portrait. I was happy to loan one and she returned this week with these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SYTGvq5zSLI/AAAAAAAADwo/gZGa-UGyJaQ/s1600-h/family+cut+outs+003.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SYTGvq5zSLI/AAAAAAAADwo/gZGa-UGyJaQ/s400/family+cut+outs+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297577583967422642" border="0" /></a><br />They are so beautiful! Her dad (who lost his wife) loves to do woodwork and wanted to do something for us. He enlarged the photos, mounted them and cut them out. He spent extra time on one just of Garrett. <br /><br />Laura loved this picture. She said it seemed to capture his personality so well; the shirt not quite tucked in, the collar sticking up, his impish grin and most of all the cheerful glint in his eye.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SYTGvQMOLgI/AAAAAAAADwg/8XueLjWX3oY/s1600-h/family+cut+outs+004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SYTGvQMOLgI/AAAAAAAADwg/8XueLjWX3oY/s400/family+cut+outs+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297577576796925442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>We are so blessed with good friends who think about us! Thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-69722241867835436312009-01-31T13:33:00.000-08:002009-01-31T13:39:29.595-08:00Dallin had a tough week. On Wednesday he came home from school without going to his Science club. I knew something had to be wrong-he LOVES Science club. When I asked about it, he said "I just don't feel like doing anything today mom. I am just sad." We talked more about what he was sad about and he couldn't really put his finger on exactly what was bothering him. He was just sad and didn't want to do anything or play with anyone. He just wanted to be home.<br /><br />I can identify. Some days I'm just sad. I can't explain why, I just get sad. They are fewer and farther between than what they use to be, but some days I just don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I just want to be home and hide. <br /><br />So, Dallin and I sat on the couch and watched television for a while until Maura bugged us too much and we went for a bicycle ride. <br /><br />Some days you just have to be sad.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-72798759735020201502009-01-25T19:12:00.001-08:002009-01-25T19:19:32.221-08:00Tonight we went for a walk. It's a good Sunday activity that gets us out of the house along with our crazy dog and lets us all burn a little energy. We walked to the school (a couple of blocks away) then let the kids and the dogs run. We met up with a lot of friends and it was a lot of fun.<br /><br />As it was getting dark, I called to Dallin and Adam and said it was time to head home. Then I started looking for Garrett. It was such a weird feeling. I was rounding up the kids and one was missing so I was scanning the playground before I remembered. Every once in a while getting a reality check is a little abrupt.<br /><br />After we got home and were eating dinner, Dallin was talking about how much he misses Garrett. I'm glad he talks about Garrett often. Tonight he said he thinks we need to have a Garrett party. He suggests that on May 1st we have a party and invite our friends to play and remember Garrett.<br /><br />It's a sweet idea. Dallin is a really thoughtful kid. I'm not sure I can do it, we'll see.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-1961900900851114542008-12-20T12:24:00.000-08:002008-12-20T12:32:28.810-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Garrett Gets a White Christmas!</span><br /></div>My sweet, sweet sister made a beautiful wreath for Garrett and took a picture of the winter wonderland Garrett is enjoying.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1Uf72FcjI/AAAAAAAADfc/N_34if-VSlc/s1600-h/garrett+grave+with+snow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1Uf72FcjI/AAAAAAAADfc/N_34if-VSlc/s400/garrett+grave+with+snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281970845592678962" border="0" /></a>Brady, Reese (and Rae-I'm sure) helped too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1UftlJMHI/AAAAAAAADfU/A3B1S2WBNcw/s1600-h/garrett+grave+with+fullmer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1UftlJMHI/AAAAAAAADfU/A3B1S2WBNcw/s400/garrett+grave+with+fullmer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281970841763524722" border="0" /></a>We are headed their way in a week to spend some time with them and enjoy the snow as well.<br /><br />The only problem is that we don't have snow clothes and have to borrow them (we live in ARIZONA, for goodness sakes). The funny thing is that Dallin and Garrett have cousins about the same age, but not the same gender! So, they always end up in pink coats with fur and light blue snow pants-really not cool for boys, but we don't care!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1VraRRo5I/AAAAAAAADfk/__FZQyBSLZg/s1600-h/IMG_8681.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SU1VraRRo5I/AAAAAAAADfk/__FZQyBSLZg/s400/IMG_8681.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281972142249976722" border="0" /></a><br />He doesn't look like he is having fun, but he LOVED to play in the snow-even if he was wearing a girl coat!<br /><br /> This is a picture with his Great Grandpa Jones enjoying the snow. He's with him now too-I wonder what kind of fun things they are doing....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-54472400756876183212008-12-11T07:32:00.000-08:002008-12-11T07:36:40.632-08:00This is the all-time favorite Christmas picture of Garrett. That <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >I'm-so-excited-I-just-can't-contain-myself</span> laugh, complete with candy cane juice around his mouth is a perfect representation of his personality.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUEy6Qr7olI/AAAAAAAADTM/hU_tKVI_BTU/s1600-h/Joy+of+garrett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUEy6Qr7olI/AAAAAAAADTM/hU_tKVI_BTU/s400/Joy+of+garrett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278556214747963986" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-47661191545687313312008-12-10T13:35:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:49:00.211-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">More of December '07</span><br /></div><br />Cousins at our <span style="font-size:180%;">most favorite</span> play place-Makutu's Island!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2rThWavI/AAAAAAAADS0/rY4EWAzzBKQ/s1600-h/makutu%27s+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2rThWavI/AAAAAAAADS0/rY4EWAzzBKQ/s400/makutu%27s+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278880880650994" border="0" /></a>Reese, Dallin, Garrett and Brady.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2rMWUw6I/AAAAAAAADSs/2zrEUEt4Iss/s1600-h/kids+at+makutu%27s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2rMWUw6I/AAAAAAAADSs/2zrEUEt4Iss/s400/kids+at+makutu%27s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278878955357090" border="0" /></a>The <span style="font-size:180%;">traditional</span> decorating of the gingerbread house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2XNIWOpI/AAAAAAAADSE/ixqz_mCwiYE/s1600-h/gingerbread+boys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2XNIWOpI/AAAAAAAADSE/ixqz_mCwiYE/s400/gingerbread+boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278535567784594" border="0" /></a>Visiting the <span style="font-size:180%;">Christmas Lights</span> at the Mesa Temple! We love to do it every year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2XTkzCSI/AAAAAAAADSM/EEagXwemrBE/s1600-h/christmas+lights.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2XTkzCSI/AAAAAAAADSM/EEagXwemrBE/s400/christmas+lights.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278537297725730" border="0" /></a>Garrett dressed up in Grandpa's <span style="font-size:180%;">Cowboy attire</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2X_f1N0I/AAAAAAAADSU/92YVdfqHpvk/s1600-h/cowboy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2X_f1N0I/AAAAAAAADSU/92YVdfqHpvk/s400/cowboy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278549088057154" border="0" /></a>I just love the <span style="font-size:180%;">expressions</span> in these pictures. It makes me <span style="font-size:180%;">giggle</span> to look at them. I love how expressive both my boys are.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2YS0ea3I/AAAAAAAADSk/mouT2Ba24wo/s1600-h/fun+gift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2YS0ea3I/AAAAAAAADSk/mouT2Ba24wo/s400/fun+gift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278554274917234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Joy.</span> This is what joy looks like.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2YBqZhfI/AAAAAAAADSc/B7y7nS4Kvos/s1600-h/Excitemet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2YBqZhfI/AAAAAAAADSc/B7y7nS4Kvos/s400/Excitemet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278549669250546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Brotherly love.</span> They were good examples of it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2r6ND4wI/AAAAAAAADS8/tLHk6aZvrKY/s1600-h/operation+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA2r6ND4wI/AAAAAAAADS8/tLHk6aZvrKY/s400/operation+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278278891264533250" border="0" /></a>Dallin misses his little shadow. It's been a hard couple of weeks for him. I think it has been for all of us.<br /><br />I'm so glad of the <span style="font-size:180%;">pictures</span> and <span style="font-size:180%;">memories</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-67922102644894926632008-12-10T13:31:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:34:56.777-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">December last year...</span><br /></div><br />I'm looking through some pictures from last year and remembering the fun we had when my sister and her family came from Wyoming to visit.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1ZbqDleI/AAAAAAAADR8/WWFE83DQVNo/s1600-h/warm+hot+tub.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1ZbqDleI/AAAAAAAADR8/WWFE83DQVNo/s400/warm+hot+tub.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277474315376098" border="0" /></a>Yes! This is what Wyoming kids want to do when they come to warm Arizona in December!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1ZMCVeyI/AAAAAAAADR0/4BUwLI4L43g/s1600-h/cold+pool+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1ZMCVeyI/AAAAAAAADR0/4BUwLI4L43g/s400/cold+pool+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277470122244898" border="0" /></a>They didn't last very long (except in the hot-tub). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1Y8k4OyI/AAAAAAAADRs/ZAkwq45OnQc/s1600-h/Cold+pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SUA1Y8k4OyI/AAAAAAAADRs/ZAkwq45OnQc/s400/Cold+pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278277465972161314" border="0" /></a>Garrett was such a good little swimmer! He loved taking swimming lessons, playing in sprinklers, or any other activity that included water!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-38554870814642076402008-11-24T14:33:00.001-08:002008-11-24T14:58:48.946-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">November with Garrett</span></div>I was thinking about Garrett and what we were doing this time last year.<br />Maura had just been born and Garrett was crazy about her. Before he came to the hospital to see her, he told me over the phone "Mom, when I see her I will so freak out!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssItcBebI/AAAAAAAADOs/2x3eF6s9WxI/s1600-h/Maura+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssItcBebI/AAAAAAAADOs/2x3eF6s9WxI/s400/Maura+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272356316915005874" border="0" /></a>He loooooved to hold her, touch her, show her things and just be around her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssJGeUQkI/AAAAAAAADO0/DJLV0OxzPPc/s1600-h/Maura+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssJGeUQkI/AAAAAAAADO0/DJLV0OxzPPc/s400/Maura+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272356323635511874" border="0" /></a>He was my number one helper when it came to taking care of her. He was always in the middle of whatever I was doing with her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssITxq6GI/AAAAAAAADOk/5IQXtULEKSI/s1600-h/bath+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssITxq6GI/AAAAAAAADOk/5IQXtULEKSI/s400/bath+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272356310026479714" border="0" /></a>We had visitors last year. Phil and Linda came from Canada to see us. There's Garrett, right in the middle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5HYL6PI/AAAAAAAADPM/YEAzI9LshMs/s1600-h/Grandparents+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5HYL6PI/AAAAAAAADPM/YEAzI9LshMs/s400/Grandparents+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272357148511955186" border="0" /></a>We ate a Thanksgiving dinner that Adam cooked himself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5VM2BMI/AAAAAAAADPU/H-AhWpZLUQA/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+07+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5VM2BMI/AAAAAAAADPU/H-AhWpZLUQA/s400/Thanksgiving+07+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272357152222479554" border="0" /></a>The boys were always ganging up on Adam. They loved to wrestle and rough house with him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssJoBaSqI/AAAAAAAADPE/Wsa8L_u7P3U/s1600-h/Maura+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSssJoBaSqI/AAAAAAAADPE/Wsa8L_u7P3U/s400/Maura+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272356332641077922" border="0" /></a>Garrett was the foreman of the garden project.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5lwj89I/AAAAAAAADPc/luFc9DnrsJI/s1600-h/the+boss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss5lwj89I/AAAAAAAADPc/luFc9DnrsJI/s400/the+boss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272357156667257810" border="0" /></a>He was always helping and right in the middle of all the dirty work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss56x3hXI/AAAAAAAADPk/JZjoriqDoD0/s1600-h/working+together.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss56x3hXI/AAAAAAAADPk/JZjoriqDoD0/s400/working+together.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272357162309879154" border="0" /></a>He enjoyed digging in the dirt and generally being in the middle of the action.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss6PBflwI/AAAAAAAADPs/iTgsw7DJFCI/s1600-h/Who+does+the+real+work.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A9nGwdS0gE0/SSss6PBflwI/AAAAAAAADPs/iTgsw7DJFCI/s400/Who+does+the+real+work.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272357167744128770" border="0" /></a>I wonder what he's doing this November...in the middle of the action, I'm sure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7562546426236061858.post-3824182307258007622008-10-28T20:26:00.000-07:002008-10-28T20:49:25.631-07:00Dallin is doing okay. He's a typical 8 year old boy wanting to play with friends, not do his homework, and into anything having to do with transformers, cars, Iron Man or The Hulk. At least that's how life is most of the time. <br /><br />I sometimes forget that he is also dealing with missing Garrett and then something happens and his reaction surprises me. Tonight Maura smacked her mouth on the edge of her crib and cut her lip. There was a surprising amount of blood and it took me a minute to figure out that it was just her lip and nothing else. There was blood on her PJ's and my shirt and her hands and down her chin. I told Dallin to hurry and get a washcloth for me. I think maybe I scared him because after I calmed Maura down and got her washed up I couldn't find Dallin. I thought he was reading stories on the couch, but he wasn't there. I looked and found him already in his bed (not normal) and very very quiet. We started talking and he told me he was very worried about Maura. I reassured him that everything would be okay and he felt better, but it surprised me how upset he was.<br /><br />He surprised me at the Primary Program a few weeks ago too when in the middle of it he came down off the stand and sat by us and cried for a little while. He said singing "I am a Child of God" made him miss Garrett.<br /><br />Every once in a while he will get upset about something (usually when friends have to go home) and cry and scream and get really mad. After he calms down we talk about why he was so upset and how it's not an appropriate way to communicate with me. Often it leads to discussions about how much he misses Garrett.<br /><br />I think his responses are pretty typical and to be expected. I feel the exact same way (although I cry and scream when I'm alone). I'm not worried about him and I don't think we need to find a counselor or anything, but every once in a while he surprises me with how emotional he gets over small things.<br /><br />Overall, I think we have become better friends. He has become my helper for Maura and we do a lot of things together and I depend on him more to help around the house. If I am feeling sad he comes and gives me a hug and rubs my back-he doesn't say anything, he just hugs me like he understands. I guess it's normal for a family to cling together more after a traumatic experience. <br /><br />I think I have gotten to know my own son better in the last few months than I ever have. In some ways I'm grateful for the closeness it has brought us. It's another blessing Garrett has brought to our family.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4