December 30, 2010

Trying Times

On my birthday, I asked Jordan if he would come with my mom & I to visit Grandma Perkins.
She is currently living in a very nice home that takes very special care with its very special residents.
She shares a room with her 97 year old sister-in-law (my Grandpa's sister), Marva.
We found her in her bed, asleep.
We woke her.
She did not recognize us, or my mom.
We told her about the Christmas program we participated in at church that day.
How Jordan played the piano perfectly for the choir & I turned his pages [perfectly].
We gave her kisses & told her we love her, then slipped outside, leaving her the way we found her.
I visited her five days later, on Christmas Eve.
There was a huge difference though, when each of us walked in the room & greeted her, there was recognition in her face & love in her eyes.
She even managed a few "Merry Christmas's" & "I Love You's."
Mom curled & styled Grandma's hair, like she does every day since the day of her stroke.
As the minutes passed by, her bright eyes & smiles started to diminish & we saw less & less recognition.
She needed to know something though before all recognition was lost.
My Mom knelt on one side of her while my Aunt Diane knelt on the other.  They held her hands, looked in her eyes, & told her that Norman, my uncle, her son, their brother, had lost his battle with cancer & died last night.
As I watched the scene before me unfold, I couldn't help but sit there & cry. 
For Grandma & her frail state.
For my Mom & her loss of both mother & brother.
For Norman's family, who weren't ready to let him go.
On Christmas day, Jordan & I were busy running back & forth between our parents homes & as I ran inside the Shill house after being at the Rogers' for an hour or so, I saw something I hadn't expected.
There in the chair, dressed in a Christmas sweater, was Grandma asleep.
She is difficult to transfer because she can no longer walk or use her right side & I didn't think we would ever see her in my parents home ever again. 
It was good to see her & feel of her love.
Yesterday we celebrated the life of Norman & mourned our loss.
Grandma was not there yesterday.
I noticed her absence.
 I am grateful for the comfort the plan of salvation gives my family & I at times like these.
{Norman at top right in sunglasses.}
{Grandma just over my shoulder.}
I do not know what I would do if I did not believe my family is forever.

December 23, 2010

Happy HOLLYdays

I have many fabulous sisters-in-law.
Today is one of their birthdays!
Miss Holly Berry
Happy Birthday!
You are oh, so very ♫ talented ♪ & add a lot of goodness to our family.
I hope today is perfect & that husband of yours spoils you rotten.
{Speaking of fabulous sisters-in-law...I am getting a brand new one!}
Congratulations Stephen & Ginny!


December 22, 2010

Birthdays and Nativities

I
AM
Twenty-Five
Years
Old.
Old.
OLD.
So old.
Ugh, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
It was a nice day filled with people I love
& the things I love to do.
What more could a girl ask for.
The Rogers' celebrated my birthday along with the other choice few [or not so few] of us that celebrate our birthdays during the holiday season a couple weeks ago.
The evening of the 19th, the Shill Family performed the Nativity.
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
 keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this things which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
The following evening we had the Rogers' Family Home Evening:  Christmas Edition.
The cousins had a gift exchange.
Then they performed a very impressively reverent Nativity.
Afterwards, we went to an Elderly Care Facility & sung Christmas Carols.
It is the busiest time of year & it is always wonderful to get refocused on what Christmas is supposed to be about
Our Saviour.
"Wise men still seek Him."

December 18, 2010

Cause for Celebration

Graduation celebrations have demanded our time & attention the past few days.  Now the party is over, our bellies are full, & our bodies are tired!
On Graduation day, Jordan & I drove to ASU...him to graduate & me to watch [& save seats].
We are so appreciative of all the family who came to support our #1 Man.
Our college graduate
EXITing the stage.
His loyal fans...
On Friday night, I threw a Fiesta themed party for my Mister.
 Complete with Homemade Pinata.
Fun Fact:  A few nights ago when I was painting the pinata, my mom passed by me in the kitchen & said, "Megan, you gotta see this - come stand back & look...you can see a face [besides the face of Jordan I added later]!"
Can you see it?
I am sad I did not get more pictures of all our fabulous guests, who came in support.  I had planned on it, but hosting a party is a little more demanding of your time & attention than I had realized.  Chris & Heather's family were the first ones to arrive & I got some pictures of their really cute "nerdy surprise."  See for yourselves...
Go Sparky!!!
I also managed to snap a shot of the madness going on in the playroom.
 I also did not get a photo of The Feast Feast Feast Feast! [Sorry I've been watching The Grinch :)]
Everything was Scrumdidlyumptious!
The Pepper Chicken Tacos with ALL the fixings.
The Refried Beans.
The Mexican Rice.
The Homemade Tamales.  [Thank you Mom, for teaching me how.]The Mexican Corn.The Salsa Bar - fit with three different delish varieties.
&, of course, The Flan!
We all had full bellies, but the party must go on!
On to the pinata, that is! 
[Thank you Bethany for grabbing my camera!]

 Is this Lucy...or...Jordan?
I told the older kids, "Give me a second to get away before you swing.  PLEASE!"
Oscar
had the winning swing that finally smashed open Jordan's head, well, pinata head that is.
& it's a Free For All!
Content looking boys enjoying their loot.
Jordan got to open gifts, which was so nice of people to bring something...they certainly did not have to do that!
Fancy shoe shining set from Mom & Dad Rogers for Jordan's fancy new job.
Lucy made Jordan an extra special gift. 
To:  King Kitty
Love, Lucy
The kids call him "Kitty, Kitty Jordan" because this fall, when we were at the beach house, Bobby ran into my room one morning & noticed Jordan wasn't there.  He asked in a loud voice, "Where's that kiddy kiddy Jordan?"  The name stuck.
Back to the King Kitty envelope...inside was something she made all by herself & it impressed us all...
shaped glasses & a crown!
Priceless. 
I can't top that. 
All I got him was the new Donkey Kong Wii game.
Oh, & I threw him one heck of a partay!
Love you, Baby!