A Day of Dirt and Bling

Wednesday was a great day. It began by having my brother, Mark deliver me some much needed sand and dirt for my garden. I was giddy! I told Mark that you know you are 46 years old when the most exciting part of your day is having dirt delivered :) However, I was wrong...the day got even better...

Jenni called me that same evening from her work. She was excited and out of breath and told me (screamed at me) that Cordell had just proposed minutes earlier! He had come into Nordstroms (in the kids dept where she works) holding flowers and a blingy ring and had a friend tag along with a video camera. She was helping a customer and turned around to see him on one knee crying and asking her to be his wife. She was shocked and so were all the customers and employees standing around watching :) She said "yes" and we are now once again on the wedding merry-go-round. He told her later that it was their three year anniversary of their very first date...she had forgotten. Sweet-huh? (the photo of the ring is the pic she sent me from her phone after calling me).

They set the date for June 2, 2012 (EKKK!) in the Bountiful temple. Yep, we have eight weeks, folks. My head hurts and I already feel tired. Yesterday we spent the day with Tara and Aubri and found "the" dress and booked the temple, found a photographer and we are still searching for a venue. Hang on, it is going to be a fast, fun ride :)

And just when I thought nothing could top the dirt being delivered...

Spring

I was working for a little bit outside today and found these cheery little fellows alongside my house. What a pleasant surprise! I did not even realize they were close to blooming. There is just something about flowers that make everything better.

Saturday

Yesterday we had Greg's dad funeral. He died on Thursday and we had the funeral on Saturday. My head was spinning as was Greg's, but his family decided to follow the advice of Janice's bishop and get the funeral over with quickly.

Today I am wiped out. Between being sick for over 10 days and dealing with the emotions since Thursday morning, I came home early from church today and took a 2 1/2 hour nap. It all seems a little surreal.

Here are some photos taken at the graveside. It was a nice funeral and he was able to be buried with full military honors, which was pretty cool.

You may also notice the BYU logo on the top of the coffin. Steve placed it there right after the grave was dedicated and I loved it :) Greg pointed out to me that his dad is now resting with permanent view of the BYU stadium -- he would love that!

James Albert Williamson

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1939 ~ 2012
James Albert Williamson, 73, left this mortal existence March 15, 2012. He was born January 25, 1939 in Dowling Park, Florida the son of Delbert and Eliza Williamson. He graduated from Madison High School in 1958 and received a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 1965. He served in the United States Army as an X-ray technician from 1959-1962.
Al married Janice Cater on July 28, 1961 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on June 26,1963.
Al had many occupations during his life, but the one he loved most was that of farmer. He loved to work along side his children in his field. This is where he found peace and happiness up until the time he left us. He was a devoted to his wife, children and church and served with all his heart. We love him and we know that he loves us. We are grateful for his example to us in this life and know that we will see him again.
Al is survived by his wife, Janice; sons Greg (Dawna) and Steve (June); daughters, Michelle (ElRay) Christiansen and Stephanie (Bobby) Colson and 17 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter and 5 siblings and his best friend Calvin (Blue) Newsome. He was preceded in death by his grand daughter, Samantha, 5 siblings and his parents.
Funeral services will be held March 17, 2012 at the Cedar Pass 10th Ward Chapel, 2977 Saddle Rock Road, Eagle Mountain, Utah at 11am. Viewing will be held Saturday morning from 10am. till time of service. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Park. Online guest book at wingmortuary.com



Yesterday was a long day. I woke up to a phone call informing me that my father in law was in route to American Fork hospital via ambulance. My mother in law found him early in the morning with a very faint pulse and called for help. He passed away on the way to the hospital.

He had been ill for quite some time, but death always seems to take you off guard. Greg took it harder then either of us imagined. I spent the majority of the morning at the hospital gathering family and trying to get in touch with Greg. He does not have his phone with him while working, so I had to use some creative ways to get in touch with him. (Thanks Tara and Austin). All of my children with the exception of Emma were able to come. Emma chose to go to school, but we ended up going and checking her out for the day. Last night we had numerous family members gather for dinner. It was nice to see all of them once again. Many I had not seen in years.

As the day progressed I had the most peaceful, calm feeling. I love that I have the gospel in my life and know that death is just part of the plan. And while we will miss him, I am gratedful for the knowledge that he is on to bigger and better things.

Bittersweet Weekend

I am still sick - yuck. I think I feel better and then I try to sit up. Not good. This past weekend I found myself missing out on a couple of things that actually made me cry. I would like to blame it on the flu and a fever, but in reality, I am just selfish and wished that I could have actually have been there to see these events for myself.

The first thing was Emma's Futsal game yesterday. I cannot even remember the last time that I have missed any of her Futsal/Soccer games...ever. Of course the one time that I am not there it turns out the be the game of the year. Thankfully, Greg was able to take her and she had one of us there. They ended up playing the team that bumped them out of the semi-finals last season. I think the other team thought that they would get an easy win - ha!- not so...

Emma's team was down 0-3 at halftime. Greg told me that shortly after halftime Emma scored three, that's right, THREE goals right in a row. Or as Greg put it "BAM, BAM, BAM!". Evidently the other team was completely stunned. He also told me that she sparked the comeback of the year and that they went on to score three more times before time expired and went on to win 6-4! Wow...wished I could have been there and as happy as I was when she called me and told me all about it on the way to get celebratory ice cream cones with Greg, Ashely and Casey, I hung up the phone and cried.

Today was moment number two. Emma had been asked to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting a couple of weeks ago. Today was the big day and I was home in bed still sick. I actually had the thought of getting ready to go and just sneaking in the back of the chapel to listen to her give her very first talk in Sacrament Meeting. Crazy, I know and no, I did not do it. I could barely stand up after taking a shower. Who was I kidding?

Instead I got on my knees when I figured she would be speaking and said a prayer that she would be able to do her best. After the prayer I cried again. Words can't explain how badly I wanted to be there. It still hurts to think that I missed it. Thankfully, Greg, Christopher, Samantha, Tara and Aubri came to support her.

When Greg came home from all his meetings, I asked him to take me on a drive. I jokingly told him he was "Driving Miss Dawna" on a Sunday afternoon - ha! I have been cooped up in this house since last Monday and needed to feel some fresh air and look at some fresh scenery. It helped. I still feel sick, but at least I feel more positive on the inside. This too will pass.

This Past Week

Let's just say it has not been a good week. Today is the first day since Tuesday that I have not been flat in bed sick. However, today is just starting and perhaps it may still end that way.

I was watching Aubri Tuesday morning and all the sudden I felt sick. It was/still is awful. Unfortunately, Aubri has been sick too. She was acting really restless that morning and looking back I think we got it about the same time.

I am thankful for my children and husband who have been such a great help during these past few days. Lezlie even brought us dinner last night, and I know that was not convenient for her with the busy day she had. Thanks, Lel...we really appreciated it. Tara and Jenni have also brought dinner in and Greg has offered to make it tonight. What would I do if I did not have my family to help out? I am truly grateful.

I am not close to 100% but I felt like I needed to record the gratitude I feel for the people in my family that have cared for me these past few days. Not only my children, husband and Lezlie, but for my mom for listening to me cry on the phone and for Dayna for her prayers and support too.

In the meantime, I have come to realize that this is not going away in the next little while and that I need to be patient and just accept the fact that dishes can wait and laundry will eventually get done and the floor will someday be mopped. It is all okay. Really....it is.