jack adam tidwell

One of my most favorite people, 

who happens to be my cousin,

gave birth to a stillborn baby boy earlier this week.

Jack Adam Tidwell.

[such a beautiful photo, shared by Jenn]

My heart aches for Jessica and Adam.

I'm sure I can't even imagine what they feel.

And I feel so helpless.

So I've been praying - hard.

For peace. 

And comfort. 

And strength.

And understanding.

And remembrance. 

I love Jess and Adam and their darling little family.

Max, Zoe, Cannon, Will and Jack.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge that families are forever.

I am thankful for the Plan of Salvation, that gives me deeper understanding.

I'm so glad to know that Jessica will get to hold Baby Jack again

and that he is forever part of their family. 

And I am beyond thankful for the Atonement -

because, not only did Christ atone for our sins,

He atoned for our pain and our suffering.

And only through Him can we truly find comfort.

four years of love

Four years ago [right this very minute] I was kneeling across from the handsomest man, promising to love him forever, and making a sacred covenant to be partners and equals through all eternity.

It was a beautiful ceremony. And a wonderfully perfect day.

And now, four years later... We're even more in love.

Happy Anniversary, Brans.
I love you more than words can say.

welcome home ca$h

He's back!

And he's as amazing as ever.

He served a faithful two years in Manchester, England.
What a great missionary.

 Mom waiting patiently...

 There he is!

Tay ran up to Mom and lifted her up off the ground, and swung her around.
So adorable.
That boy loves his Mama.

There were eight or nine other missionaries coming home on this flight,
and they were all excited to see their missionary, as well,
but when Tay started hugging and swinging Mom, everyone stopped
and watched in adoration.
It was awesome.

 "This is so weird"
Tay kept saying it over and over and over.

Team and Ca$h

It's been a long four years.

[Taylor left for England 6 days before Austin came home from Canada.]

Welcome home Elder Taylor Ashcraft!

We've missed you. 

may

Where has the time gone?

May was a busy month for us. [Is that getting old to hear?]

Yes, we are always busy. And yes, I realize that every one is busy is some sense of the word. But, if you know my family, or how I was raised, or my in-laws, and how they raised their children, or if you know anyone actively participating in the Church, or anyone who works two jobs, or anyone who is a full-time+ student at an accredited University, or anyone who is taking a condensed language course that basically covers two semesters worth of content in six weeks, or anyone who has a yard as big as ours..... you realize why I always say we're "so busy,"

Because we are. And while I generally wouldn't have it any other way, we're getting a little tired.

But I digress.

In the month of May:

We celebrated Branson's birthday. He's officially out of his mid-twenties. 

We were parents to three little kids for four days.

We got to talk to our missionary brothers.

We went to the temple with Bryson for his very first time. And it was magnificent. 

We have been working like crazy in our yard. And we have battle scars to prove it.

We had a lovely Mother's Day dinner with my mom.

We built a fence.

We have successfully kept all of our Easter chicks alive.

We have been getting ready for Taylor to come home (t-minus one week and counting).

We [meaning Brans] have been inundated with Scouting activities and responsibilities.

We [also meaning Brans] have been taking a condensed Arabic language course, and it has been b.r.u.t.a.l. Six hours in class Monday through Friday, the six to eight hours of homework every night. Overload. We've had some late, late nights, and some very early mornings trying to get homework and studying done.

We started taking an Institute class together.

We also started teaching more piano students. 

We attended a few weddings.

We helped with a bridal shower for Branson's cousin, Miranda.

We celebrated Chad and Austin's birthdays.

We had a delightful BBQ on my parents' new patio for Memorial Day.

We planted sod in our backyard.

We hosted/attended several family parties.

We [not meaning Brans] had a few melt-downs.

We celebrated my Mom's birthday.

We [meaning Brans] went on a hike.
We did lots of laundry. And lots of dishes.

We hardly slept.

And we're tired. But happy.

We're looking forward to June [though we feel like it should still be March... Seriously - what is happening to all of the days? Going by way too quickly...]. Happy Summer.