Two weeks ago I sat in my Gram's hosptial room
Two weeks ago my love grew deeper
We took her to a skilled nursing facility
within 24 hours she was back in the hospital
Sunday I sat holding her hand
Wishing she could no longer be in pain
I kissed her forehead
Whispering I Love You!
Grandpa took her home early Monday morning
The following Monday
I did the same
I kissed her forehead
Whispering I Love you!

How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge I have that Families are Forever. To know that Gram is with Grandpa and they are watching over their posterity. We were fortunate to be only missing 5 from this family photo. Our three missionaries. One granddaughter who was watching over the 17th great grandchild. As the Grandchildren sang Love is Spoken Here. I could help but think of my Grandparents and how proud they are of this crew they have created. When my Grandpa died almost 9 years ago. They had two great grandchildren. Gram never meet the 17th, she saw pictures though. What an incredible accomplishment, to have 5 children who marry, who give you 20 fabulous grandchildren, who then give you 17 great grandchildren and counting. I can only imagine what this feeling is like for our Heavenly Father. I am grateful to have felt a small piece of it.

Roller Coaster of Love

January 13, 2011

Charlie and Hannah welcomed baby number 3.

Her name Kennedy Adele Mickelsen.

I could not hold her until today.

I have been sick with a cold.

This is how Kennedy felt about it...

Onced she realized her favorite Aunty could finally hold her,

she decided she needed to let me know with a little smile.This week has been a little crazy for our family. Our sweet Grandma fell on Tuesday morning, she spent most of the week in the hospital. She was able to leave and go to another facility where she has to learn how to stand up and walk with a walker. I spent the day with her yesterday. I had to leave the room, to cry and pull myself together.

This week we welcome a new sweet spirit in our lives, and we also have to start preparing ourselves for another to leave this world. Since September my Gram has had life changes that come with getting old. No longer being able to live in her own home, moving to facilities where she is totally dependent on staff. All things we wish we didn't have to deal with. Depending on others to love and care for someone you love is hard, but we have to do it, so our Gram can be safe.

Life is hard sometimes.

Thanksgiving to New Years

of course Thanksgiving to New Years was spent enjoying the holidays, family and friends. It was also spent doing finals and interviews for a new job and internship to be able to graduate in May. I was also able to fit in sometime trying to increase my photo skills... here are some that turned out.

Conquering Colon Cancer 2010

One of my greatest accomplishments of 2010 was the race. When I started this project I had no idea how much work it really was going to be. It was all worth it! I started to have panic attacks and nightmares about how it would happen. I was nervous I didn't have all my I's dotted and T's crossed. It's a good thing my family and friends loves me. The night before the race my Aunt was a life saver. She made me sit down and organize things I would have never thought of. The morning of the race, my team and I woke up early to make sure we had time to get everything ready. We set up a in freezing wind and rain. SO COLD! We were all saying prayers that the weather would lighten up for the race. It did the weather calmed down long enough for us to send the runners on there way and run the race. As soon as started cleaning it up, it started raining and blowing again. I will never be able to express my gratitude to those who made sacrifices to participate, help, and donate to this cause. As runners were starting to show up, I felt like I was running all over, trying to make sure we were ready. Before I knew it, we were cleaning up. As I drove home I couldn't control my tears, my heart was full. I thought about what I was able to accomplish. I would have never been able to accomplish it without the help of my classmates, family, friends, and strangers. I continue to reflect on what the race was able to do for not only me but those who participated in any manner. I learned that I can be a leader. I can do hard things. I can ask for help, and I don't ever have to do it alone.

Conquering Colon Cancer 2010

(Don't judge us...it was freezing and the wind was blowing a 100mph)