November was a month...we had a lot of happy times and some sad times as well. All growing experiences.
We got more attached to our sweet little Josie. She has the sweetest, spunkiest personality and is the perfect fit for our family.
At the beginning of the month the kids and I went to such a fun orchestra performance. The conductor discussed all the different instruments with different musicians standing at the front talking about their instruments. Then there was a guest performer who came and first played on his crazy instrument full of funny little noisemakers while accompanied by the orchestra and then told a story kind of like Peter and the Wolf with the Orchestra except it was about a tuba who had always wanted a solo. And now we all agree that tubas should be given more solos. At the end, the kids were able to talk to all the musicians and even play some of their instruments.
Eliza and Vivi have been playing more and more together and they just make me so happy.
This month we were anxiously awaiting a new cousin coming into the world. Sadly, sweet Caleb didn't make it long after birth because of previously unknown complications in development that made life unsustainable. We were all heartbroken but humbled by the faith of Brittany and Baydon's family and the beautiful service we were able to attend. The spirit was so very strong. Baydon spoke a little about why they had picked the name Caleb before knowing of his condition. He then quoted what Caleb in the bible said, "Give me this mountain".
All the cousins were able to plant bulbs on Caleb's grave. They all were able to help bury the casket and I think that was so important for them to be able to do. They also were each given a balloon to send up to Caleb. Little Tanner, who was watching through zoom in Utah, went running outside to see the balloons going up to Caleb.
Natalie and Heather sang Come Ye Disconsolate and the love of our Savior was so strong during that moment. Jack and Terron kept watch over Caleb's casket the whole time.
This was a very special cemetery tucked away in a remote area. Caleb is buried right next to the son of Brittany and Baydon's good friends who was stillborn a couple years ago. These memories are hard but beautiful all at the same time, and while it was, and still is, a heart-wrenching experience; we all have had our belief of eternity strengthened. There are so many questions during trials like this, but there are also so many witnesses of our Heavenly Father's love that cannot be denied. That love has most often been seen through the love extended to our dear family during this time. We know that we will see Caleb again someday and are so excited for that.
We came up to the Hilton's house a week later and I had to get a picture of these beautiful girls singing praises to God around the piano. God is good, and there is still joy amidst sorrow.
Before Thanksgiving, some of the adults were able to do a session at the temple and it was so very special to all be together in the Celestial room with just a little glimpse of what Heaven must be like.
Tanner and Heather stayed home that night to watch the kids so that Tanner would have more time for his back to heal and Heather could be at a work meeting. They had their own temple trip later in the week.
The day before Thanksgiving we got to get together with some dear friends from Morgantown. Mark's sister now lives in Kirksville and somehow she and Brittany were able to make the connection for us. It was so good to see them again!
Heather made me an awesome tree trunk for our thankful tree and the kids filled it up in no time. There are so many things that we can be thankful for.
Like pies
And Toddlers
Presenting Queen Vivi and King Porter with Princess Eliza and Prince Jack. They took their roles very seriously...
Vivi got sick which meant not as good of sleep but lots of cuddles.
One of the sweets amidst the sadness of this month was getting to have Natalie and Heather here. We love them and cherish anytime we get with them.
We are so grateful for the knowledge we have that because of the covenants we make in the temple, we will be able to be with those we love again. What a wonderful truth that is!
