In my sisters words.... {thanks Lib for writing this}

I found out Wednesday morning that mom had passed away. Mom has been living with some major health issues and has been tied down to a lot of bed time this past 6 months. My siblings and I have had a few conversations where we knew there was a good chance that her time could be coming soon. No matter how much time I had to prepare for that phone call, I wasn't ready. After I got the phone call, life started feeling a bit surreal. My mind knew it was real, but my heart couldn't understand it. She mentioned to my dad a few weeks ago, that if she couldn't get better that she was ready to go. Not many people get their wishes so easily and peacefully. They must have needed her in heaven. I immediately started packing so I could go and be with my dad, who my heart was breaking for, and the rest of my family. Brad was such an incredible support through the whole thing, I couldn't have done it without him. It took me twice as long to get packed because I felt like this A.D.D. child that couldn't focus. All I wanted to do was get in the car and drive to my Dad and be with my family. Again, Brad saved me. We finally got home around 8 pm. Kell, Matt and Amy had a chance to get their first. Nate was able to be their when the Mortuary took her body away and be with my Dad. After the news traveled, which didn't take but a few minutes, the love and support just started pouring in. We had people over vacuuming, and cleaning getting the house ready for family to get there. We had tons of people bring us hot, yummy food and goodies. Which we ate almost all of it. There were a lot of us there. Many people sent money, flowers and plants, and many warm wishes. We didn't have to worry one time what we were going to eat, and who was going to fix it. Plus we had wonderful ladies volunteer to help watch the kids when it was time to let us adult kids have some time with our Dad and Mom.
KayDee made it in on Thursday. She met us at the Mortuary to help start the planning. It was me, KayDee, KellyRae, and Amy that were present at the mortuary, helping Dad plan. Not the funnest of planning meetings, but one that will be in my memory forever. Our first thing on our to-do list was the Obituary. We only had one day to write it. How do you put one persons life into a couple of paragraphs? Then we had to figure out musical numbers. We all thought going into this that we would not sing, or be doing much of the speaking, but it turned out quite opposite. We were all involved and it was exactly how mom would have wanted it.
Amylee and Chris made it in Thursday..Linden came in on Friday, Greg made it on Saturday, and Dawn came in on Sunday. Saturday Kaydee decided to have Gracie baptised since everyone was in town. The spirit was so strong there. Between mom's death and the special spirit that Gracie has, it was a very moving baptism.
Through the weekend we practiced our musical numbers, did lots of talking about mom so we could get a life sketch written, and just did a lot of hanging out together. The husbands I think were getting a bit annoyed by the constant practicing of some sort of song because the piano is in the tv room. They never said anything but thank you guys for putting up with that.
Sunday my Dad went to church. He didn't do much sitting down the whole weekend. He just kept busy with yard work, answered every phone call, talked to everyone he saw, and just handled it with such grace. Anyways, we didn't want him sitting at church all alone, so we loaded everyone up and headed to church. It was testimony meeting. We were all surprised when my brother Greg got up there and shared his testimony. He has a beautiful testimony and it was wonderful to hear.
Sunday night was a viewing in Burley at the Funeral home. I woke up Sunday morning with extra large butterflies and couldn't get rid of them all day. I swear I was going to have an anxiety attack. I was trying to get my violin piece ready, did I mention before that I was the one that got to write and deliver the life sketch, and us girls had to sing a song. Plus it was the day that I had to see my mother in a casket. When we got there and I saw her lying there, looking so beautiful and peaceful and rested, with the beautiful flowers, all my nerves disappeared. It was this incredible feeling that washed over me. When I saw her about 2 weeks ago, she looked so tired and weak and it took everything in her to make it to dinner that night at the Uppercrust there in Burley. That would be the last time I saw her. That place will hold a special place in my heart. Anyways, the rest of the viewing went so good. There was a non-stop line from 6pm to about 8:30 pm. Lots of friends and family. My Dad really set the mood with this positive, peaceful feeling. We still shed a few tears with some special people, but it felt so good to be at peace with it.
It was fun to watch everyone in line pointing and trying to figure out which kid was what. There were 8 of us in line, and some of these people hadn't seen us in 15 years so it was like a little reunion with a lot of these people.
After, we were all starving so we stopped at Dairy Queen. We were in line ordering. My Dad gets up to order right before he turns around and says, "What does mom want?" And he just smiled and laughed between a few tears.
Monday morning was finally here. We got up and got everyone ready for the funeral. We got their early to run through all our songs. Their was a viewing for an hour before. Again, lots of friends and more family. We all had our chance to say our last good-byes. The funeral went wonderful. I kept asking mom if she could please get us through the musical numbers without crying our heads off. I know she was there, because we got through all of them. I just couldn't believe how flawless things went. A funny is we decided to have pork roasts for the luncheon after, and they had started cooking them that morning. When we were getting ready to start the funeral this overwhelming smell of Sunday dinner came through. It was like it was choreographed into it all because in the life sketch I talked about how coming home from church on Sunday the house would smell so good. After the funeral, we headed to the cemetery where we buried her by Cherrilyn, my older sister. Greg gave a thoughtful prayer and we said goodbye. It had been raining in the morning, but when we got out to go to the cemetery it was just beautiful and sun shining. We then went back to the church and have a wonderful Dinner of Pork Roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, jello, green salad, rolls, and yummy cookies and brownies. The rest of the day was just so nice. We just rested and talked and ate and laughed.
The grandkids actually took the whole weekend so good. They were sad a bit at the funeral, but just loved being with each other and that is how mom loved it. It was a little weird to all be gathered there without her. I know she was there in spirit and was pain free and could enjoy the family reunion with such a happy heart. Amylee and Chris headed out Monday, and so did Brad. Tuesday Kell and I got up and did some major cleaning and went through a few things. I really could have stayed there for a few more weeks. It felt so safe there. It was like I didn't have to think about real life. It felt like there was this bubble around us and it was just about us. Kind of like old times. My husband was so good at just letting me have my time with my brothers and sisters and my kids were so incredibly understanding at letting me just be a daughter over the weekend, and let me check out of my mom duties for a few days. I can't believe the weekend has come and gone already. I love you mom and will miss you greatly and I am thankful I am at peace with where she is and how wonderful she is feeling.

Here is Mom's Obituary:

http://www.magicvalley.com/app/obituaries/?type=obit&id=78955