Grandma's house

There is nothing like grandma's house. It is  a place where people are unconditionally loved and over-fed. Where kids are hugged, and kissed on the cheek, and treated like a treasure. There are unique toys to play with, and nooks of the house and corners of the yard to explore.  Some of life's best life memories happen at Grandmas house. 

Camber, being the saint that she is, agreed to have her birthday at the airport before we left. She had a fire-less candle on her cake ad we celebrated right outside the ticketing area.

This is why I needed a third kid

I thought long and hard before I decided to have this, our latest and last, baby.  I asked myself what reasons for bringing a child into the world were legit, what excuses were not (I still haven't conclusively formulated an opinion on this.) I thought a lot about weather I really "needed" an extra child and what an additional child might add to my already bustling bunch. I honestly felt with 2 kids that I was sufficiently bursting at the seams with motherly love.  I worried about feeling taxed or that my enjoyment of motherhood would wane.  I anguished that I wouldn't have enough time with each child.

Now I have 3 kids and I love the lively dynamic baby Alayna adds to our house. She is irreplaceable.  The third edition makes the kids more of a team, a smiling, rambunctious, bunch.

Baby turned 6 months this week. I started to take these photos of her on my bed to commemorate her 6. sweetly-lived months.  At first she was by herself and stone-faced. Then Liam came in and she started to explode with laughter. Next Elsie jumped on the bed.  Before I knew it, it was an all-out, rollin' around, 3- kid, good time.

Halloween

 Halloween was playful. The kids wore their costumes much of the week. Liam made his ninja costume himself out of scrap black fabric and safety pins. Elsie was "the pink Cinderella."  Elsie likes Sleeping Beauty because she is the princess that definitively looks the most like herself, also because Elsie is lovestruck by pink. Nana and Papa carved corresponding pumpkins for the kids to match their costumes. Layney was oblivious and wore an owl hood.  Emily, Brady's sister, disguised herself as a cat and took the kids around trick-or-treating, scoring them some good loot.  I've actually waited for years to be at Brady's mom's house for Halloween, just so I could eat her skillfully-crafted, homemade, Halloween donuts.  Mmmmm.

 

Everyone gets to attend their own funeral

My mother has a theory that everyone gets to attend their own funeral, in ghost form. I hope it's true. I've never decidedly felt a spirit's presence at a memorial, but it simply makes sense that God allows his body-less children to see their life's recap.  A funeral sneak -peak would let you listen to how your life is summed- up, and see how, and who, you have touched most.  Dead or alive, there is a lot to learn at funerals.

This past weekend was Davis' funeral. Brady and his family all spoke and it was moving, beautiful, and compelling.  The adoration and support was in the room thick and tangible- both for Davis and for his friends and family. I don't know that I've ever been to a funeral where so many tears were shed- by believers and non-believers alike.  The tributes were genuine- sometimes funny, sometimes touching.  Many talked about lessons learned from Davis' life- the way he developed his talents and natural abilities, how he persevered, and how he touched people with his soft heart. Because of the circumstances, hard things were also conveyed- about dealing with depression and mental illness, the dangers of masking our pains, and the unspoken lesson to be empathetic to those who hurt.  I left the service wanting to be a more thoughtful, deliberate, developed, and charitable person. I found the service healing, I hope Davis would've too.

My belief is that as Davis is liberated from his physical constraints and psychological pains, he will see things that were beyond his vision here. I hope he'll see that despite deep wounds, that there is relief. That even though at times he felt alone,  that he had a network of support. That despite clouds of darkness, that there is so, so much light. I hope he felt the pride his family had for him and that he felt proud himself. If Davis peaked into his funeral he would've seen row after row of people with their hearts bursting of love. I hope that glimpse was motivating for him- it was for me.

Missing Davis

Brady's brother Davis passed away on Sunday and it hurts. The world feels off, it all seems unreal. He was only 23 with so much life and love ahead of him.  I will especially miss the way Davis had a soft spot for my kids- the way he would let Liam sit on his lap and strum his guitar, the way he was fascinated with little babies.  He was always good for a warm smile and a genuine, good- quality hug.  I'll miss him. The next while will be hard for Brady and we appreciate the prayers and messages on his behalf .Here's his obituary written by Brady's family:

Davis Manning Firth, born April 19, 1990 in Redmond, WA, is the son of Mark and Leisa; brother of Brady (Danielle), Janell (Ben Craghead), Lindsey (Jake) Christensen, Camber, and Emily; grandson of Ronald and Marie Firth, Neil and Joan Flinders; uncle, nephew and cousin to many; and friend to all. Throughout his adventurous life he effortlessly mastered countless talents. As a skilled musician, he played bass and guitar with many groups and across many genres, composing songs that could both make you rock and bring you to tears. He found joy in skiing Utah powder and one-upping pros on his skateboard. Davis had a heart of kindness and a contagious smile that brought light and warmth to all who knew him. He found peace on Sunday October 20, 2013, after fighting a vigorous battle against things in life that were difficult and taxing. We are proud of his valiant determination in all of the trials he overcame and the challenges he conquered. Our hearts will continue to feel his generous friendship, courage, and love of nature and mankind as the music of his life plays on. Those same hearts will grieve that he didn’t hike the Pacific Coast Trail, that his mischievous smile won’t be seen, that too few heard his song, and that we can’t tell him again how we have admired his courage through the immense challenges he faced. He will be so deeply missed and loved.

As his family, we thank his friends for their part in his life and thus in ours. We hope they will find peace in knowing that he loves them and that their influence is felt by him and us. We thank friends and family for their love and support. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made to the Davis Firth Donation account at Zion’s Bank, which will be used for a music scholarship. We will receive friends and family Oct 25, 6-8PM and Oct 26, 9-10:30AM; with funeral service to follow Oct 26, 11AM at the chapel on 325 Lauralin Dr, Logan UT. His burial will take place at the Mendon Cemetery following the service. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.serenicare.com.