ups and downs

I had a high school friend pass away in a tragic bike accident on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday our good friend's father passed away from a short battle with cancer. I just felt weighed down, thinking about their families and the fragility of life. Thankfully the Lord could tell I needed extra comfort and assurance and guided me to read a few beautiful articles in the past few month's Ensign's. I loved this quote in January's Ensign by George Albert Smith:

“The assurance that our relationship here as parents and children, as husbands and wives will continue in heaven, and that this is but the beginning of a great and glorious kingdom that our Father has destined we shall inherit on the other side, fills us with hope and joy.

“If I were to think, as so many think, that now that my beloved wife and my beloved parents are gone, that they have passed out of my life forever and that I shall never see them again, it would deprive me of one of the greatest joys that I have in life: the contemplation of meeting them again, and receiving their welcome and their affection, and of thanking them from the depths of a grateful heart for all they have done for me.”

“When we realize that death is only one of the steps that the children of God shall take throughout eternity, and that it is according to his plan, it robs death of its sting and brings us face to face with the reality of eternal life. Many families have been called upon to say good-bye temporarily to those they love. When such passings occur, they disturb us, if we will let them, and thus bring great sorrow into our lives. But if our spiritual eyes could be opened and we could see, we would be comforted, I am sure, with what our vision would behold. The Lord has not left us without hope. On the contrary he has given us every assurance of eternal happiness, if we will accept his advice and counsel while here in mortality."

I took the kids and my mom up to visit my Grandma (we call her GG) in Ogden on Friday. It was a really fun visit filled with lots of delicious food (like always). We also:

spun tops on her kitchen floor

played dress up

got some snuggle time

ate yummy frozen peaches and cinnamon rolls and iced and decorated (and ate) sugar cookies

Nothing happened for the 3-day weekend besides Ryan working crazy-long days (he did manage to go snowboarding though!) and me spending time with my family.

Now we are just prepping for our trip to California. So many lists and so little time...