Four Months, a Birthday, and a Funeral

Henrik turned four months old on April 2nd.

On April 3rd my paternal grandmother passed away.

I left town on April 7th; the funeral was on the 8th.

Jolie's 4th birthday was on April 10th, and Eric's mom was in town that weekend.

Then Jolie's birthday party was rescheduled for April 16th.

The first two weeks of April were kind of a blur: lots of phone calls, lots of emails, tears, packing, more phone calls, shopping, late nights, and early mornings, flights, road-trips, etc.  I was very blessed to be able to go to my grandma's funeral in Utah.  Thanks to my generous aunt, my sister (who just moved close to us) and I were able to leave our kids in our husbands' care and fly together with our babies.  We sat by incredibly kind and helpful people on each flight, there and back.  My little niece made sure Henri felt safe by holding his hand as they rode in the double stroller.  It was cute to see people's smiles as we made our way through the airports.

It was an incredible experience to be there with my Dad's family. After the family prayer before the funeral began, it was very difficult to say our last good-byes. It was a special and sacred experience. The words spoken and the beautiful music performed during the funeral really made us all rejoice in Grandma's life and in her posterity. My Dad's family is so talented, and I came away feeling such gratitude for this wonderful family. I felt like I learned more about them in those two hours than I had ever known. I have a wonderful heritage.

I was so happy to get a photo of Henrik with two of his name-sakes from the family line.

We had one day to just be together with my sisters and mom. Neither of my brothers were able to make it to the funeral, but all the sisters were there. Three of us had kids within the last year and a half or so, and one is expecting again.

We stayed up way too late, laughing way too hard, each night of our stay! It is always the best feeling to be with my sisters again! I love raiding my youngest sister's closet--she's always to sweet to let me borrow anything--and we watch chick flicks like old "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" episodes, and we eat chocolate in any form. We just love being together.

When we arrived back home Sunday evening, Eric and the kids had parked and come into the airport to surprise me! I'm sure it was the highlight of their day to go on the moving walkways in the middle of the parking lot.

Eric, of course, did a fabulous job taking care of the girls while I was away. They had a great visit with Eric's mom in Cincinnati. It was sweet that the got to at least see one Grandma that weekend, even though they were disappointed not to be able to come to Utah with me. They visited the conservatory and the art museum, and they found a Whole Foods to stop at for lunch. Eric told me Mierae ordered salmon with brussels sprouts, and Jolie ordered salmon with green beans. We must be doing something right!

Then they saw some of our best friends on the way back home.

Mierae and Jolie had decorated Jolie's birthday cake before they picked me up from the airport. So we were able to have a small celebration at home on Jolie's actual birthday.

The favorite present of the night was a harmonica my mom had sent home with me to give Jolie. Not that Jolie didn't like her Barbie and Barbie movie (matching her party theme the weekend after). But it's gratifying to know that a love for music-making just might have been naturally instilled in mine and Eric's offspring!