Grandpa Collins

 On Monday April 23, 2012 my last living Grandparent passed away, My Grandpa Collins.  He was ninety two and three days.  He hung in there just long enough to have one last Birthday Party and one bite of cake. For him it probably seemed like forever for him to pass but, for us it was very quick.  He struggled for two weeks before he decided it was time to let go.  My mother is a daddy's girl and she has been his main caregiver for the past four years since my grandmother passed.  He would come to her home a week or two every month and when he wasn't there she would go to his house to clean, cook for him, and keep him company, once a week.  Other siblings help with visiting when he was at home, so he was well taken care of and loved.  In the last two weeks of his life he was in hospice care in my parents home with my mother by his side almost every moment.   It was so beautiful to see the dedication and love she had for him.    It was very hard on her but, one of her greatest gifts and talents is service and she served him with great love until the end.  He was a wonderful man.  He loved his family, he served his country, he served his church, he loved loved loved to read, he was the best records keeper, and he loved very dearly my grandmother.  They were married sixty plus years before she passed and he missed her so so so much.  That is one of the most wonderful things about his passing is knowing that they are now together again.  He yearned to be with her again so much.  They had the kind of relationship that anyone should want to emulate.  That had a great respect for each other, great kindness, an amazing love.  Even in there old age they were the biggest flirts.  One of my grandmothers sayings was even if there is snow on the roof it doesn't mean the fire is out inside.   I was giving my husband a kiss one time at a family get together and she grabbed my grandpa and gave him the biggest smacker he was so stunned.  She said she didn't want to be left out.  Grandpa wasn't complaining one little bit.  We will miss him here very much but, knowing they are now in each others arms puts a big smile on my face.

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The First of Four

 Last Saturday was one of the PROUDEST days of being a parent for me.  Our oldest child Ashton decided to be baptized a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.  His birthday was the end of March but, because of Conference in April he had to wait until May to do it.  He was so excited and it was so hard for him to wait that extra month but we made it.

 On the tag on his shirt it says Future Missionary.  Doesn't he look like he'll be a good one.  He is a good kid and tries hard to Choose The Right.  Plus he looks really handsome in his suit.

 Cory made the comment that this was his favorite thing to wear :p.   Ashton was the only boy being baptized that day and there were three other girls in the ward also.  Before the baptism part they had some speakers one of them was our home teacher Ryan Smith.  They also had the kids being baptized and their sibling sing a primary song and again my boys were the only boys up there.  They did a great job! After Ashton was baptized and dunked in the water there were a few giggles in the audience because when Ashton came out of the water his face was a mix of being shocked and excited.  He was smiling and had the biggest wide eyes it was so cute.

 I love my little family!  I just realized though looking at this picture that we are missing one whoops.  He was with Grandma and we were hurrying to get pictures taken before they had to go to the font.  Oh well he was there and did get to watch it all happen.  After the baptism we went back into the Chapel so that Ashton could be Confirmed.  Even thought the Bishop asked us to try and keep the circle small it is kind of hard to do when we have a big family.  We ended up having around thirteen men encircle Ashton for the Confirmation.  Even though it is hard for them all to fit my heart swells when they they gather around one of my children for blessings.  It is a huge blessing in my life that I am surrounded by so many worthy Priesthood holders.  It gives me a sense of comfort to now that if I or any of my kids ever need a blessing and Cory wasn't there to do it I wouldn't have to look far for someone that could.  I am so Grateful for so many Wonderful men in my life!!!!

 It was a Beautiful Baptism and after we all went to our place for some brunch.  Uncle Ryan is in Utah for a little bit to work and after everyone was gone he hung out to visit and play with the kids.  It was so cute I was in the house cleaning up and Cory was Snoozing on the couch Ryan was outside for probably an hour or so just playing with the kids.  They love him!  I had to take this picture because it was funny.  Jordyn talked Ryan into having a Tea Party with her.

When it was all said and done it must have taken a lot out of Cory because two seconds after everyone left this was him.  I was very proud of him that day as well.  What an amazing feeling to have your husband exercise the Priesthood especially on one of our children.  It was a day I will not soon forget.