Cordells Birthday

I will continue to write about the last year and a half later, today I just wanted to post a message to my brother since it is his birthday today.

Today is my brother Cordell’s birthday. Over the last few years this has been a difficult day along with other anniversaries and holidays but I’ve been trying to have less sadness and I want to do more celebrating of his life when these times come around. In honor of Cordell’s birthday I would like to share a happy memory I have of him.


Shortly after Cordell came home from his mission our family came together to do the temple work for my grandparents we all had a wonderful experience in the bountiful temple then that night we stayed at my aunt’s house. There wasn’t enough places for us to sleep so Cordell and I thought we could just share a queen size air mattress if I had my head down by his feet and he had his head by my feet. We both laughed and cried for hours as we talked about life, Cordell’s mission, dating, different spiritual experiences that we have had and anything else that came to mind. When we finally went to bed it was the worst sleep I had had in a long time. We kept bumping into each other and trying not to touch each other all night. When we both woke up in the morning Cordell said, “I hated that; we can never sleep like that again!”

Cordell was such a good friend to me. I have so many memories of us talking and talking and talking, even when we were young. I hope my kids grow as close as we did and I also secretly hope that they will never have to experience loss like I have.

Parker just asked me why I was crying and I told him it is because it’s uncle Cordell’s birthday and I miss him then he said, “Don’t be sad mom uncle Cordell will be resurrected and you will see him again”. Oh the amazing faith of a little child. I will see Cordell again and I believe he is aware of his family and has on a number of occasions helped us from the other side of the veil. I love you Cordell and I’m so grateful for the friendship that we have. Happy Birthday!

Update on the last year

Oh this is so bad. I haven't updated this in a year!!!! Sooooooo much has happened I think I am just going to do it by month to make this catchup a Little less painful. I'm so used to catching people up on face book I've totally neglected to blog.

-Jan 2011 because Brent was laid off we moved in with my parents. We are so grateful to have them in our lives and they totally saved us during a very scary and unpredictable time. I had to Drive to Bailey 1 and a 1/2 hours one way on Tues of every week work spend the night alone in our cold empty condo (last year at this time temps were in the -20's), would work Wed then head back to my mom's. I did this until May and it proved to be one of the more stressful things I have gone through.

-Feb 2011 Abby had her first Birthday, we had some friends from Brighton join us and it was alot of fun! One of the days I worked in Feb I was so ill I could barely see straight but I felt I needed to survive and work anyway. I barely made it home and Brent tossed the kids at me then left. After I put the kids to bed he came to me and said he needed to go out with me, then he said something I will NEVER forget. I was dying from some horrible illness and was barely able to get back in the car. Then Brent went on and on about how horrible it is to be left alone with the kids for two days and that it is the most difficult thing he has ever done. I kept agreeing with him and saying "yes it is very hard, now you know how hard my days with them are". Then he turned to me and said, "Isn't it easier for you than it is for me, I mean it's not as hard on you". It was like the shot heard around the world. I could not believe he just said that. At least now Brent is very understanding of me when I have a hard time with the kids.

I think I will do a few more months tomorrow.

Wow! It took a long time to post all those new pictures. We have had a roller coaster ride the last couple months. Brent was laid off at the 1st of the month along with many others, (perfect timing for the holidays). We are starting to realize litigation isn't as stable as it used to be but we are doing our best. Brent did get some part time contract work just before Christmas. January is the hiring season so we are hopeful! We managed to have a wonderful yet meager Christmas. We spent all month trying to celebrate the holiday with fun activities and talking about Christ birth. Parker is really picking up alot now and learned alot about what we do for Christmas. When we took Christmas down he cried and cried saying "no bye, bye Christmas". We also got to see Cameron and his family, Celebrate Cordell's (my nephew) birthday, my moms birthday and New Years.
Hears hoping 2011 is luckier than 2010 has been. Hope you all had a great Holiday!!!!

Abby feel asleep upside down

Fireman Parker

Preece Cousins with Quist Cousins

We had a great Halloween! We went to Halloween Hallows at DCES on Friday night and the church party on Satuday night. Parker loved it and learned what "trick or treat" ment right away. He also won the costum contest at the church party, we thought that was great! Hope you all had a great Halloween as well.