Grandma Belle

I've been wanting to do this post for some time now and not too sure why I've been putting it off. It might just be that I didn't think I could express on paper (well, computer) just how I really feel. So here I am giving it a try.

On April 21, 2010, at 7:30am I received a phone call from my mom letting me know that my grandma Belle Forsyth Smith had passed away at the age of 96. Yes, we all knew it was going to come but no matter, the news still rattled my heart.

I remember while living in New Jersey I secretly wished she would still hang on with each breath so that when Chad had graduated from NYU and it was time for us to head back to Canada that she would be around so I could spend some time with her. When we arrived back home last summer, we had a family event out at the ranch where I grew up and where my grandma and Aunts were now living. It had been over 3 years since I had spent any time with my grandma and I was very anxious to see her. As my aunts led me into her bedroom they had mentioned how her health had really declined and that she would most likely be asleep. As I entered the bedroom my heart stopped. As I looked over the bedrail at my frail grandma Belle tears began to drop as I realized just how bad of shape she was in. I had never seen her in such a helpless state before. Immediately my secret wish had changed from a life for my grandma to a different life where she would feel no pain.

Days before the funeral, my sister and I, husbandless, decided to drive the 12 hours up to Canada together with our kids so that we could make it to the funeral. It was a long drive but in the end it was worth every hour. It was great to be with family and to really celebrate my grandma's life. There is just so much comfort in replaying a loved one's life and remembering all the wonderful things they did and said that touched your's.

I can't remember if it was a day or if it was two before the funeral but I got a phone call from my aunts who had a special request. It was definately one I didn't see coming. A request that when immediately spoken had brought tears to my eyes. My aunts had asked if my sister, Shaneen, and I would be willing to be pallbearers with my brothers, my dad and uncles. Wow, that was a tough one to swallow. I was very hesitant as I knew that it would be a very emotional thing to do and I'm pretty sure I would have a tough time holding it together. After, a moment or two of silence, I hesitantly agreed.

The funeral was beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect but when it was time to carry the casket my nerves were shot. Thankgoodness for a father who knew when it was time to put his arm around a daughter's shoulder. One, two, three . . . we hoisted the casket up and yes, I lost it. I don't know who's blubbering noises were louder, mine or my sister's, but we did it. Even though I was a mess, what an honour that was to be able to perform such an act. It is truly one that I will never forget.



I don't know why I've been thinking so much about my grandma this week and missing her like crazy but one thing I know is that I am so blessed to have been able to have had her be such a big part of my life. I miss her smile, I miss her peanut butter and honey sandwiches, I miss shelling peas in the back yard with her, I miss driving by her home and seeing her playing in her garden in her red puff jacket, I just miss her!

Before I wrap this entry up, I just wanted to thank two very special people. My Aunt Susan and Aunt Marcheta. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a pallbearer. It was emotionally challenging but an experience I will treasure forever. But more importantly, thank you for the years of hours and hours that were spent taking care of grandma. I'm sure it wasn't easy and that there were a million other things you could have been doing but instead you put your lives on hold. I'm positive a nice reward in heaven awaits you both for the selfless sacrifices you made daily for the mother you loved dearly. You are both amazing women and I only hope that I can follow your examples and in doing so become a better person. Thank you again, I love you!

Edyn Turns SIX!

I'm sooooo behind on posting that it's ridiculous! Oh well, I guess it's better late than never. Edyn's birthday was June 25th and again she wanted a Hello Kitty party which we didn't have until the 28th. On her actual birthday we decided to have a Edyn day and do whatever she wanted. So we went to Pizza Hut for lunch (her favorite), she got her nails painted at Velvet Touch (a cosmetology school right beside Chad's office), and then Toy Story 3 to end the evening. She was so cute getting her toenails painted. After the lady was done painting her flowers on her big toes, Edyn exclaimed in her cute girly voice "They are just perfect!".

For her actual birthday party we decided to do a party at our subdivision's clubhouse at the swimming pool and have pizza delivered and cake and icecream. It was the easiest party I've ever done and it came with no stress. I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house, which would be destroyed in 10 minutes after the guests arrived anyway, and I didn't have to worry about making all kinds of different things for dinner, and didn't have to think up any games to keep the girls busy. The girls swam for 3 hours and I think they could have swam for three more. They had so much fun and I loved just sitting in the sun and being the referee between the girls and Ethan and his friend. Oh, was he such a pest! I really think Ethan thought it was his job to reak havoc. I guess that is what a big brother is for. LOL. Good thing the girls were pretty good at dishing it out too. Anyway, I think Edyn had a really good time and she's so funny when she sees people now. She always has to announce that she is now 6. Here it is 3 weeks later and she is still doing it. I sure love my little girl! Hope you had a great birthday Edyn.


Sorry for the bad quality of the picture above of Edyn getting her toes done. My silly phone just doesn't compare to our Nikon.



Oh, how I love photoshop and making my own invitations. This one was especially easy since I took the one from two years ago and just tweaked it a bit with a swimming hello kitty and added those cute little paw prints. I think the only thing that stayed the same was the poem and the pink background. Not to shabby, I think.

Ethan's Baptism Invitation

For the past few years when there is ever a need for invitations I've really enjoyed using photoshop and creating something a little more personal. Especially love that when I'm all done I can upload it to Costco from my home computer and then pick it up an hour later. Now that is service!

Anyway, I got this idea online somewhere of putting faded words in the background of a primary song and so I decided to play around with it and see where it took me. So here is the end result, what do you think? I think I really like the old photo of Ethan! Don't you think it reaks of Ethaness?!

Ethan's Baptism

We made the 11 hour trip up to Canada so that we could visit family and have Ethan baptized out at the Wolff family cabin in a little creek. He was pretty excited but I think more so to see his cousins and grandparents. That is one disadvantage of living in Idaho but I guess 11 hours isn't so bad. Ethan was baptized on Sunday, July 4th and oooooeeeeee was it cold! He was quite the trooper stepping out into the freezing water, I think I would have chickened out. It sure was a special moment--one that warms my heart just thinking about it. The support of family was truly amazing and Ethan and his tender heart were a joy to watch! I love my boy.