Jim was on a surfing trip, so I took a visit to my favorite nursery and came back with these beauties. Gardening is so relaxing and fun to watch as these starter plants grow.
On Mother's Day, Jacob delivered a card by drone to me, pretty cute!
Calla lily
Wacky day. The kids loved it. It's been a while since school had creative stuff. Seems like this year has been more about surviving the curve balls. I can't wait until field trips and other creative things come back!
Career day. The kids all wore our family band shirts. It was awesome.
I heard a million sirens a little bit after walking the kids to school. Looked outside, and saw this. Ashes falling from the sky. Our neighbors at the end of the street had their house burn down in 20 minutes. The elderly couple living there were rescued by an off duty fireman and policeman who happened to be there. They called it a miracle and it was.
By the end of the day, the fire trucks from three cities that showed up to help put out the blaze were mostly gone, but I went to the corner to help the kids get home and to let all the kids from school walking home know that everyone was okay that lived in the house.
That weekend we spent a night at an oceanfront hotel on the north side of an island. It has amazing tide pools and exploration on one side and then plenty of boogie boarding on another side.
Wide open spaces with tons to explore.
We always catch fish and crabs of all sizes.
Jim fishing on the ocean side.
Lots of hermit crabs!
Katy and John in the still waters trying to find some fish.
All the crabs and fish we caught! I had to hold the red bag with crabs in it and the zipper was rusted so it wouldn't close. Risky job!
Wierdest fish ever! We still don't know what this is.
Endless tide pools. The kids love the adventure of each new space.
Once we get super hot and find all the crabs we can for dinner, time to get in the water.
One of my favorite things about the beach is the sibling bonding. No matter what, every time, they make great memories in the ocean together. Not sure exactly how this happens, but it does. And I love to see them happy together.
Jim and Mike off to surf. Jim gives Mike a few surf runs each time we go, hoping that over time, someday, Mike will grow to love it.
Bumble bee in the foxglove.
Lavender harvest. I'm drying the lavender and feel like a witch with my herbs hanging all over the house.
Then we had a week of soul stretching. Two of my brothers wives were pregnant, due within days of each other. We looked forward to meeting their new little ones this week when my sister and I flew with our families to Arizona for my youngest brother's wedding. Then last Wednesday, my sister-in-law Megan had an emergency c-section within 2 minutes because the baby’s heartbeat suddenly stopped. By a miracle, precious baby Eli is now healthy. That night, my other sister-in-law Sarah didn't feel her baby moving and went to the hospital to have her checked. Tragically, her baby had passed that day. So, hours after her cousin Eli's birth, baby Juliet came into the world via c-section in the same operating room. Sarah and Megan began recovery in the same hospital, same floor. My heart has hurt, ached for the pain of the loss of Juliet. The hospital bent rules to allow parents in to be with Sarah and Megan, and the two families were also allowed to spend time together. Sarah was able to hold Juliet and have tender pictures taken while she remained at the hospital. A very emotional, yet sweet, peace fills me as I yet grieve because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Our personal journey does not begin at birth. Before we were born, we were together in a world of preparation. Jehovah told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” After we die, because of Christ, we will be resurrected! I look forward to the day that Sarah can hold her little one again. I rejoice in the Resurrection of our Savior, because sweet Juliet is now continuing her eternal journey. So, this week, we acknowledge three events- birth, death and marriage. We will meet perfect baby Juliet at her funeral, rejoice in sweet baby Eli, and celebrate my brother's marriage to his high school sweetheart. Coming close to these tender moments feels like heaven is close too. I know God knows and loves us individually, and has a plan for each of us. My faith turns tears of sorrow into tears of anticipation. While I don't know the "why" of everything, I do know of His abiding, eternal love because I feel it in a very personal, soul-deep way.
My brother Benjamin with his angel daughter Juliet
My brother Joe with his miracle baby Eli
My brother Caleb with his sweetheart Anna
John had his last day of preschool. Our family is going through some major transitions. I used to have three at home and some in school. And now all of a sudden, next year, everyone will be in school and Nicole is in high school learning to drive and trying out for JV sports. Am I supposed to feel like a legit adult at some point?
Johnny boy's preschool class at a cute shop across the street. Downtown Apex has some fun places.
For Nicole's graduation, they made a slideshow of all of the kids showing where they're going next year to school. Kinda felt silly and not much of a graduation, but whatever. It's done!
Swim season began and it was SO wonderful to have the kids begin working out again! It was HARD for them and that made me so happy. Especially to see them get back into life.
We flew with my sister's family to AZ.
These three girls are so fun together!
Josh's family was SUPER sweet to drive all the way to the airport simply to welcome us. What a treasure to feel their love. Especially on this emotional day.
We needed to go straight to the funeral to make it on time. Caleb and Daniel picked us up with official chauffer signs. And Chikfila, which we devoured since we hadn't eaten all day. So thoughtful, and what a blessing to have them take care of our big load of kids.
We changed clothes in the church building and walked into the funeral. I was so touched to meet my niece, and although her spirit has already left this earth, I felt the bond of family. The love for her and the sorrow of this parting too soon for my heart. I was finally able to hug Benjamin and Sarah. It was a tender time. I helped my children also meet Juliet and give their love to their aunt and uncle. So, so tender. After the viewing, the funeral was absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking and yet testimony building. Sharing in grief, yet sharing in firm joy in the promises of the Resurrection and eternal life. Lots of tears of sorrow, tears of gratitude for the Savior, aching for loss, and anticipating the sweetness of meeting Juliet again someday. At the funeral, Benjamin sang this song. And it was the most beautiful I’ve ever heard him sing. During Sarah’s pregnancy, Benjamin would sing each night to Juliet. She knows her Daddy’s voice. It was so, so touching to hear his love, strength, sorrow and testimony all come through in this song:
What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
’Tis not the end but genesis,
Of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
I had my kids go with Jim to my parent's house for the graveside service. We sang a simple song, and my brother laid his daughter to rest in a small grave on a family plot. Nobody should ever have to bury a child. I was still getting used to the idea of my little bro being married, and then becoming a father...it was so hard to see his loss. And so amazing to see his faith and the rock he is for his wife.
We released balloons into the sky, and I felt us reach towards heaven. It was a beautiful moment of sending our love to her.
We all got to lay down a rose on her grave. It was a sacred moment.
After the service we took a picture. It was quite a day, and emotionally stretching. I feel strengthened in my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The next day, my brother Caleb's future inlaws hosted a party for the kids since their family has kids all my and Marian's kids ages. It was crazy to realize we're only a couple years younger than Caleb's inlaws! But it was SUPER fun for the kids to connect. They rented a big water slide and had the pool open. Wonderful pizza lunch and time getting to know each other.
The next day was the wedding! Dad and I ran a few errands. I've never gotten so many balloons before and the latex smell was pretty intense, especially in the AZ heat. It was fun to hang out with my Dad!
All hands on deck for the final preparation. We had friends, in laws, aunts, cousins...all this family helping out.
Some girl cousins got to be servers and they did an amazing job keeping water glasses filled, serving courses and clearing away dishes. And all with their best British accents :)
The boys served as valets for the guests and would escort each couple to their seats.
Jacob got to escort the bride. It was a little risky as he pulled out her chair which happened to be slightly close to the pool... :)
The cake! We had a fun day, long but filled with family, which is really the best.
Dallin trying out a Scratch game that Michael coded. Mike really likes coding.
Mexican food. Every day. It was beautiful.
The sealing was heavenly. It was so hot outside for pictures, but so much joy made these smiles glow! It felt wonderful to be in the temple. During this time when my parents are home from their mission, it seems crazy that two of my brother have been sealed in the temple. Such a blessing they could be home for that and also that I could go to AZ both times and be in the temple during this COVID time.
Bahama Bucks is a must in AZ. We might have had this more than once...
Cousin time! Lots of hours playing all over my parent's new house. They just got the pool and yard done. It was SO fun, a total dream house to visit.
Super early (even for us!) at 4am-ish, the boys went with their uncle and cousins fishing on the Salt River.
My grandpa and dad playing pickleball. I love how my parents fit so much fun into their house, I don't know if we even got to do everything there.
The kids listening to some advice and wisdom from their Great Grandpa. I love that they had this time with him.
We spent time with Jim's family all together (Except for Kathryn and we missed her!) for the first time in a while. So fun to see how everyone's grown and see them get to know each other a little better.
Walking to church on Sunday was fun. And kind of hot.
Before Marian left Monday, the kids played at the park. Daniel and Janell are the coolest and brought a bunch of water balloons for an epic water balloon fight. They also played capture the flag until they had to leave.
We got some sweet time with Eli. We usually don't meet our little nieces or nephews until they are older, it was so precious to hold this little guy, not even two weeks old.
Relaxing in the courtyard.
Nicole has emotionally processed more of the experiences of this week than my other kids. We've talked a lot about it. About Heavenly Father's love for each of His children. About being a parent. It was sweet for her to hold Eli.
Diana trying to get the wierdest hairdo possible.
The ENTIRE trip, the kids were begging to go scorpion hunting. The last evening, Dad took the kids. They just love this so much. Me...I went to bed with John and Katy and left them to their joys. I'm happy they had a great time haha.
We spent some time at Marian's lake house while Caleb and Anna were honeymooning there. Yes, we crashed their honeymoon for a few hours! They were so kind to have us and we really loved seeing them in NC, even for a short time.
And then it was back to school. (Almost forgot about school, right? :) Katy is front right.
Dahlia. My new favorite!
Balloon flowers are so pretty too.
On the last day of school, I just enjoyed time with my Johnny boy. My littlest baby, finally going to Kindergarten next year. I can't believe how old the family is getting and feel like making some great memories during these last four years we have all six at home.
Nicole with neighborhood friends on the last day of school.
Since the school didn't bother with any real graduation for John from preschool, Jake going into middle school and Nicole going to high school....we had our own graduation ceremony. I used a basketball game announcer's voice (channeling the days we used to watch Michael Jordan and the Bulls) and the kids walked down the hall, cheering each other on, to receive their chikfila sandwich. It was the best graduation we've had yet.
One night we had hamburgers, and I looked over to see that John had put mustard on top of his hamburger bun. Interesting to say the least.
On the last day of school, Grandpa Ostler came to visit! We loved the time swimming with him.
Jim took Mike, D and Jake camping with Grandpa. They had so much fun!
John showing off his lego creations.
Fun relaxing in the tent while camping.
We got a fun wedding pic back!
Diana caught a crab during their trip.
She cooked and at the whole thing. She was super proud of herself.
We had a benefit concert for the couple that lost their home to the fire. A bunch of people in the neighborhood came out to buy snow cones and listen. We had a great time.
The kids went to soccer camp in the mornings for a week. I loved seeing how hard they worked.
Johnny boy was totally worn out each day. It was marvelous.
Meanwhile, Jim sent me these picture from Cabo where he was celebrating Luke's 40th. Really wish I could've gone. These pictures are breathtaking!
I got this fuschia plant from a nursery a half hour away when Kathryn was staying with us. It is SO beautiful and I hope the plant survives! The gardening adventures continue...
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