Our 24th of July

For the 24th of July, we headed down to a smallllll little town called Manassa here in Colorado. It is about 3 hours south of Colorado Springs and our good friends the Brady's go down every year. Some other people from our ward was going as well, so we decided it would be fun to have a little getaway. Taylor worked half day on Friday while I got us all ready to leave and then we picked Taylor up and went on our way.

We had a pretty relaxing getaway for the most part. We hung out, we watched a parade, rode some carnival rides, talked, four-wheeled, Taylor went fishing, and saw our first demolition derby!!

Watching the parade...

Isaac loved waving....

Even swung on the tree swing.

Loved the train ride....kept saying "Choo choo!"

And then Saturday night we went to our first demolition derby--which we thought was pretty cool.

We left after the derby and drove home Saturday night. It was a quick but fun getaway filled with great people!

Angelina's funeral

Yesterday was our baby girl's funeral. Yes, she was born on April 1 and yesterday was the funeral. We chose to do the hospital funeral and they only do it 3 times a year, so we were at their mercy for the timing.

It was a hard, but special day. We were surrounded with love and support and what more can you ask for? We went to the gravesite service--there was a casket--and after the hospital did their portion, we stepped off to the side where we did our own mini service. My dad spoke and did a remarkable job and then Taylor dedicated the gravesite as Angelina's final resting place and bore his testimony. It was wonderful. I'm grateful for their examples and worthiness.

Taylor's brother Cam and Clayton and mom Suzanne came. (And his dad and wife but I didn't get a picture). I know more of Taylor's siblings wished to be there, which we know and understand, so we were grateful to have who we did.

Taylor and I....it was weird taking pictures...to smile or not to smile?

My parents and Taylor and I.

The casket. A majority of those flowers on the casket are from our group. The headstone says "In Loving Memory of our Babies" And then has a scripture that says, "I will never forget you. I have written your name in the palm of my hand. Isaiah 49:16"

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful service. I have had a very emotional and hard time leading up to the funeral. Every time I thought about the funeral I would fight back emotion, so I knew the actual day would be hard. And it was emotional yesterday--we had to bury our baby girl--how would that be easy? There is a sense of empty arms...a sense of lost opportunity...

I didn't think I needed "closure." I thought our experience in the hospital when she was born and the peace we felt was like our closure. But perhaps that peace helped us especially get through the first few weeks--perhaps the hardest weeks. But I learned yesterday that I really did need closure. The funeral was just what I needed. I was emotional for most of it and then it was like all of sudden, I was ok. Angelina was ok. We would be ok. Angelina's full name is Angelina Joyce Housley. The first part of her name is "Angel" and "Joy" and she truly is just that. (We didn't notice that until a week or so after we named her). She is our angel and she is joy. And I felt that yesterday....that joy we will have when we see her again.

I know I can do hard things. I know we can do hard things. We have been strengthened by the Lord in all things and I am grateful to know that He cares about what we go through, how we feel, what our burdens are. I know Angelina is in a better place and that she is looking over us. I pray every night that we will feel her presence on earth, on this side of the veil. I know she is watching over us and I know we must live in a way that is righteous that we may return to live with her and our Heavenly Father for eternity.

I wouldn't trade this special experience for anything. Our family has grown--while not visible to the public eye--it surely has. She is a special girl that is just too special to come to this earth at this time. Speaking as a mother, I love her and I treasure the time I did have with her. We will forever miss her, but forever think of her and pray about her, for she is a member of our family.

I am grateful the Lord entrusted this trial and this blessing in our lives. I am truly grateful.

Favorite New Picture

We met Taylor for lunch this past week at a park...and this picture is a product of that...love it.

YOUTH CONFERENCE!!!

Last week on Friday and Saturday, Taylor and I had an AWESOME opportunity to be group leaders for our Stake Youth Conference. For two days the youth of our church ages 14-18 came for what some may relate to as a "retreat." Others may relate to the term EFY--which is what the stake leaders hoped to accomplish, so Taylor and I were like EFY counselors. We had about 25 kids and it was such a blast.

On Friday, we had church speakers in the morning and then a team building/leadership activity in the afternoon. This next picture is of (most) our group at the activity....

They had to have ten people on this tarp and move it to the end and back without anyone stepping off the tarp.

That night there was a dance that Taylor and I got to chaperone at...and you better believe we danced!! We had so much fun! At one point they had the boys line up on one side and the girls on the other---about 5 feet across from one another. The point was to have one boy and one girl go "down the row" dancing together...and the DJ had Taylor and I start it off...it was so fun!!

The next morning we were able to bring treats for our group before our scripture study.

We had the smallest room and probably one of the biggest groups...it was quite a challenge to fit them all in. We had church speakers again in the morning, a service project in the afternoon and then a talent show, slideshow, fireside and testimony meeting in the evening.

All in all, it was a GREAT two days. We were able to meet a lot of the youth and have some great memories and spiritual growth! We were very grateful for the opportunity to be apart of this great youth conference!!

Zoo Time

Last Thursday, Isaac and I went to the zoo with Jodie and her kids. This was the first time, however, that the kids rode the train. Isaac LOVES trains and you can tell in the picture how he has him arm bent as he is saying, "choo choo!"

And the great pose of the kids on the Zebra...Jodie's girl Taylor brought a friend since her oldest wasn't there.

It was a fun and hot day at the zoo!

It's Tuesday already?!

I meant to post this sooner...but apparently a few days got away from me...

Quick Story: On Sunday, Taylor and I were asked to speak in church. I spoke first, then Taylor spoke. Right as Taylor was about to close--and I mean, right as he was about to say "In the name of..." guess what happened??

The fire alarm went off.

It was pretty fun to be sitting on the stand when that happened because we were able to see everyone's facial reaction. To me, I figured a kid pulled the fire alarm handle. But there was a youth there--no idea who--who looked very panicked! She stood up and was looking for a way out and that started the trickling effect of everyone else standing up to get out of the chapel.

During this time, Taylor looked back at the Bishop, who gave him a "yep, that's the end" nod, so Taylor turned back to the congregation and over the noise of the people said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

It got a lot of chuckles.

Needless to say, we were all in the hallway when the Bishop came over the mic saying to come back in....AS HE WAS SAYING THIS...the alarm went off again.

Once the second alarm was turned off, we all went back in and closed the meeting.

I was right: triggered by a kid. HILARIOUS. (At least we thought it was).

Talk about memorable Sunday and a great starter for the next time we talk: "Hopefully the fire alarm won't go off while we're speaking this time...." :)

Our 4th of July Weekend

Our 4th of July started bright and early Saturday morning. We signed up to do the "Fun Run" which was a 4 mile run from Palmer Lake to Monument. We even convinced Daniel and Stephanie (Brady) Jacobs to do it with us! So my dad, mom, Taylor, Isaac and I went.

This picture is at the start of the race...thank you boys for looking at the camera. :)

And then the end of the race. Isaac was so tired...we woke him up around 6 a.m. when he normally wakes up around 9 a.m...he even fell asleep in the stroller on the race!

Steph and Daniel

Steph and I....we were walking buddies. We didn't really have intentions to run the race....so we walked real fast and had great conversation! :)

And Daniel and Taylor were running buddies....ah, ain't that cute :) haha, just kidding....but they do match.

Isaac got a muffin at the end with Nana....I love that he is holding it up to show it to me.

My dad pushed Isaac in the stroller, so we had to document the stroller, too. :) My dad's even steps are probably what put Isaac to sleep!

Isaac got a number too! Just kidding...Papa (my dad) just put his tag on him.

After the run--which is now an annual event/tradition--we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to the pool. Unfortunately, after an hour and a half, we got rained out and had to leave. But...it was fun while it lasted. Taylor had never been to this pool with us before, so he had a lot of fun with Isaac jumping through water and playing in the sand.

Right before we got rained out...wearing Papa's hat and Nana's sunglasses. Such a poser..."cheese!"

We went home and took naps and then headed over to my parents house for a BBQ with Taylor's Aunt and Uncle and a few cousins and Steph and Daniel joined us too....no pictures, sorry. But it was a feast and a lot of fun.

The next day--Sunday--was fast Sunday and our family tries to have dinner together every Fast Sunday and we rotate houses. This month it was my mom's turn, so we headed over for dinner and Isaac had a lot of fun in the kitchen.....

"Look Dad! A Helmet!" HAHA....out of nowhere, Isaac found this bowl and put it on his head and was running around, we thought it was pretty comical!

And, a little late--but better late than never--I made cupcakes for my mom's birthday which was June 20 when we were in Chicago. She loves Pirates so I attempted to make Pirates.

My dad shoving it in....haha...it's like wedding days all over again. :) After dinner we went on a walk and Isaac got hold of this flag and was waving it around, I thought it was pretty funny.

So all in all, it was a great weekend! Hope everyone else had a happy and safe 4th of July! (One regret from the weekend: I never did hear, "I'm Proud to be An American" on Saturday....I don't think we ever had the radio on.....bummer.....).

And last but not least, Day Five

Today--Friday--was our day of sea-dooing. Unfortunately, since I got sunburned so bad on Wednesday when we went to the pool, I had little desire to get out in the sun again. So Taylor, Syd and Mo, my dad and Heather & Tyson went. They got up really early and had a lot of fun.

Mo was cold.

But Syd had fun on the tube. I love this picture of her!

My dad helping her.

Tyson and Heather dunked Syd. Don't know how....they appear to be going in a straight line with no waves around them.... :)

After they got home, we packed up and headed to the airport. My goal this week was to entertain the girls to the max and make sure they had fun....this picture truly made me feel like that goal was accomplished:

Wiped out! Love it!!!

Being unaccompanied minors, we were able to take the girls to the gate and waited until they took off. So we had some fun waiting for their flight to depart.

It was definitely a FUN and WONDERFUL week! Syd and Mo are GREAT girls and we absolutely loved having them!! Can't wait until next summer.... :)

Day Four

Thursday we went up to Denver to visit the Denver Aquarium and we were even privileged to have my mom come along! Here's Syd...

And Mo (with the help of Syd holding her!)

And then all the fish....I love this picture of Mo and Isaac

They had a "Flash Flood in the Desert" exhibit. You stand there and the ceiling changes from day to storm and when it changes to storm they have this "flash flood." We originally came in when the water was ending, but I wanted to watch the whole change, so Syd and Mo went up the glass...waiting and waiting for the flash flood to come...

And then it came!! I think it scared Mo more than anything because she had no idea what to expect (whereas Syd caught the end of the previous "flood")

They had some fun ways to see the fish...a dome underneath the fish...

And they randomly had a Tiger at the Aquarium. However, I have never seen a Tiger come right up to the glass as this one did, it was pretty incredible!

Syd and Mo with the Tiger in the back

And of course the Sharks. Isaac doesn't even seem to care or notice the shark behind him...

And then Syd tried her skills at climbing a palm tree. It was much harder than it looked.

Enjoying the bubbles outside....

All in all, the Aquarium was pretty cool, but again, for the time it takes to get there and the price you pay to get in, it was definitely not long enough....however, what we did see was pretty cool--it just would have been better if we saw MORE.

That night we were planning on having a chill night and talked about going to a park, but it rained. So we messed around at our house for a little bit and then went over to my parents house and the girls watched a movie.

Here the girls are playing with Uncle T. Taylor was playing the piano and Mo kept hitting keys to mess him up, so T was getting "pay back."

Dog pile on Uncle T.