2013

I wasn't sure I was going to do a newsletter for 2013. 

I was taught that if I didn't have anything nice to say then I shouldn't say anything at all & I didn't have a lot of nice things to say about 2013. 

2013 sucked. 

Our son died. 

Our dog died. 

The end. 

I'm sorry if that was offensive to anyone. The truth is that our loss consumed much of 2013. Our loss will continue to be a part of our lives. Every day. It still hurts. Every day. We miss Link and Tundra more than any amount of words could ever begin to express. The following in no way erases our loss. It is in no way an "at least..." statement. 

I realize, though, that if I can push through the anger, hurt, and heartache, that there is another truth. And that is that God is good. He loves us. He has watched over us and helped us to find perspective and begin to heal. He has given us SO very much. We have an amazing amount of blessings. 

So... with both of those truths in mind, I have gone through my journal, my newsletters, my blog, and just my memories and compiled a list of 20 things in 2013 that I am so very thankful for:

1. We brought Link home. The thought that he died almost 3 months later makes that last statement sting my heart, but the fact that Link died does not really take away the miracle of curing his hyperinsulinism. We got to take him home and enjoy our healthy baby at home for a few months before he was called home. Those three months were SO beautiful and precious and perfect - getting to watch him learn to smile more, laugh, "talk," grab at everything, and roll over were such blessings. 

2. McKinley & Ireland participated in tumbling lessons in the spring and swimming lessons in the summer. They both did a great job in both lessons and moved up a level!

3. We were able to bless our baby boy on March 3rd. Many people came to support us and for most of them, it was the last time they held Link. 

4. We had an enormous amount of support after Link died from SIDS on March 26th. It was a humbling experience. We are so thankful for family, friends, loved ones who made sacrifices to be there for Link's funeral and give us amazing, thoughtful gifts and service.

5. We got to be there for the day that Jason's mom, Dee Ann, went through the temple for the first time and was sealed to her parents. What an awesome day! Also, later in the year, we attended the sealing of Dee Ann and Jason's stepdad, Dave, to each other in the Manti Temple. These were amazing blessings and miracles to witness and we truly believe Link was involved and there for both those special days. 

6. On Link's funeral day, his 8-month birthday, and his 6-month angelversary, we witnessed amazing rainbows like this one. We know they are love notes from Link and we will always think of him when we see a rainbow. 

7. We were able to go camping in the summer with the Tew side of the family in Mapleton, the Potts & Edwards at Palisades Reservoir, and the Bensons at Pineview. We enjoyed swimming, hiking, fishing, s'more-ing, star-gazing, and just being with loved ones. 

8. Ireland turned six in July! She is still our active girl -loving to run, jump, climb, etc. She is also very determined!  If she sees a friend do it, she will not stop until she learns how to do it herself. For many months at school, she would come home with blisters on her hands from learning the monkey bars. She also loves swimming, jump rope,  riding her bike or scooter, and making "I love you" cards for mom and dad. She is a top reader in her class! She lost her first tooth a few months after she turned six and was so excited! She continues to LOVE fashion - especially anything twirly, sparkly, soft, shiny, and "clippety-cloppety" (shoes). Her best friends are Mahina, Isabella, Drew, Joshua, and Sienna. 

9. We are so thankful for the 10+ years that we had with our Tundra dog. Saying goodbye to him was very difficult (especially for McKinley), but we know that he is up playing with Link and watching over us. We are thankful that we could spend the last moments of his life with him and bury him in our backyard. 

10. We went to Lagoon in July with the Potts and Edwards and had a great time! We all rode rides, got wet, ate ice cream, and had lots of fun. 

11. In the beginning of August, the Potts family came to Cedar City for our annual Potts Retreat. It was great to have them here & do some fun activities including seeing Love's Labor Lost at the Shakespeare Festival, Mary Poppins at Tuacahn, hiking to Cascade Fall, going to the Cedar City Aquatic Center, Lake at the Hills, and the movies.  In between all that was great meals and great conversations. It was so wonderful to see everyone and feel their love. We were sad to see them go.

12. McKinley turned eight in the beginning of September (she had a bowling party with her friends!) and was baptized in October! We are so proud of her and thankful for all the family to came to support her on her special day. McKinley continues to be a great reader & has read many chapter books in the past year. She also loves swimming and jump roping. She loves to go camping. She loves anything to do with science or experiments. She loves crafts & has learned basic crocheting and needlework.  She also loves math & making up stories to write and illustrate in her "books."  She was so excited to get baptized & is also loving to go to activity days now! She got a tablet for her birthday and loves to download apps - her favorite one is Cut the Rope. Her favorite friends are Michael, Olivia, Mary Jane (MJ), and Kloie. 

13. McKinley & Ireland are attending North Elementary this year to try out their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) program. It has been very good for them - especially McKinley. It is more challenging for her - which she needs - and stresses math & science - which she loves. We carpool with our neighbors up the street, which has been nice. They have a lot of "Polar Bear Pride," which we love to see.  

14. Kezia and Heidi went to Minnesota in September to spend some time with Heidi's sister, Tiffany, and her daughter & husband. we had a great time playing with the cats, going to the lakes, playing at the parks, going to the mall, going to a book store with live animals, eating yummy ice cream, going to church, watching movies, going on beautiful walks, visiting with each other, taking naps, and topping it off with a visit to the Minnesota Children’s Museum, where they had a Dora exhibit. It was a wonderful time! 

15. In October, Kezia turned four! She had a Halloween/birthday party at the library and park with many of her cute friends. Everyone dressed in their costumes and we did Halloween crafts, a maze, and played at the park. She got lots of fun gifts! Her big gift for her birthday was a bunny rabbit! He is a black and white dutch bunny & Kezia decided to name him "Rainbow Truck." She loves hugging her bunny, playing dress-up with him, and chasing him around the house. Kezia started preschool this year and she goes two days a week to the South Elementary Preschool. She is still infatuated with My Little Pony and will spend hours upstairs playing "ponies." She also loves watching the show on Netflix. Kezia loves swimming, running around, and playing with her friends. She can write her name and some other words and is reading BOB books! She loves coloring and painting. Some of her favorite friends include Adelaide and Callie. 

16. Link's birthday was on November 7th. For more details, check out the blog post. We are just so thankful for everyone who shared in his special day and donated to the Ronald McDonald House. 

17. In the middle of the year, we found out we were expecting another baby - due in April. See this blog post for my feelings on the subject. We are so thankful to have the opportunity to welcome another precious life into our family. We have decided to name her Noelle Eve. 

18. We are so thankful for Jason's job. He was furloughed for a couple weeks in October and we are glad that is over with. He likes his job and his boss and that is such a blessing. His coworkers have been so amazing to support us with Link's hospital stay, his death, and donating to the Jubilee House here in Cedar in Link's name. They are all such good people. We are thankful for the flexibility it gives our family. Jason is becoming quite the handiman and fixed our garage door, oven, truck, washer, and computer in the last year, just to mention a few. He also went on some fun scout camps to Kolob Reservoir and Great Basin National Park. 

19. Heidi is thankful for ladies that have shared the burden of her grief - loving family members and especially the local SHARE group (for pregnancy and infant loss) and online Utah SIDS moms group. She's thankful for these women who truly "get it" and have such empathy and love for what we're going through. She's thankful for her grief outlets - mostly writing, doing memory projects, connecting with other moms, and doing service projects. 

20. Above all, we are thankful for the gospel and our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. We are so grateful for the hope that the Savior's atonement and resurrection brings. More than anything else, this is what has brought us peace and love this year and hope for wonderful things in the years to come. 

As Casper Ten Boom (The Hiding Place) has said  (and we believe) - "The best is yet to be!!"

I'd also like to say a huge THANK YOU here for all those reading this that helped us get through the most difficult year of our lives so far. We love you and are SO thankful for you!!