The Real Blessing was Ours

My wonderful wife does not know I am posting this...

Joe and Willie (our next door neighbors) were not the ones blessed by our association with them, I am the one who has been blessed. What a humbling blessing for me to watch the way my wife's concern and love for this quiet elderly couple grew. Danell is not one to get up in Church and tell everybody how great she is, or how strong her testimony is, or what wonderful things she accomplished over the week. She's not big on words and long discussions about how much she knows. But I have learned more about her divine character and her quiet capacity to love and serve, in the last 9 months than the whole time I have known her before that. She made it a point to take Cal over there and make sure he gave Willie "hugs & kisses" not just because it was "cute" but because she knew it meant a lot to Willie, and because Willie had grown fond of our little bundle of energy(chaos) that is Cal. She made it a point to try and visit whenever possible, just to provide company, knowing that most of Joe and Willie's family are a long way away. And it was never just "taking brownies over to the neighbors because that's what we do," it was always because of the sweet bond Danell has developed with them.

I had no idea that blowing kisses and "catching them and putting them in my pocket for later" (read the entry before this to understand what i am referring to) was something that Cal learned from Willie. Willie may never know that this has become one of our favorite bed time traditions and is now a family tradition that will last for generations... (well, she does know...).

I can't imagine the grief that Joe must feel with the huge void that has appeared in his life with the loss of his companion of 53 yrs. I am also glad that Willie has been set free from the pain and misery of the last few months. I have no doubt that Joe will get to see and be with her again, he was always so gentle and caring for his wife.

Willie, we are so grateful to have been blessed by our friendship with you and we miss you...

In Memory of Our Dear Friend Willy

Our dear friend and neighbor passed away this morning. In the course of living in St George, we have not met many people, I always joke and say that are best friends are Joe and Willy even though they are twice are age, we don't know them from church or work just from being neighbors. This picture was taken the beginning of June on Cal's B-day, they got him 2 movies, one being about a fish which has become his favorite.
Joe and Willy both knew this was going to be happening so Willy had been cleaning out everything and getting everything in order for Joe, while doing this she gave us some of their Christmas dishes. Every Christmas I will use these dishes and be reminded of our good friends Joe and Willy. Our little family sure grew close to them, when we say our prayers, Cal will always remind us "Bless Joe and Willy" in case we forgot. Willy had the most beautiful front yard, it was nice living across the street from them because our view was so great with all of the flowers Willy would plant and tend to all the time. She always had a cookie to give to Cal even when visiting in the hospital Cal always got a cookie. She taught Cal had to blow a kiss, and when he would blow her a kiss she would always "catch it and put it in her pocket to save it for later" This was a tradition of theirs to always catch each others kisses.
The last 2 months have been pretty rough on her body, but she kept fighting to stay alive to spend time with her husband Joe of 53 years. I know that she is in a better place and not in pain anymore but it still doesn't make things easier right now, my heart still aches for Joe and his family and we will still miss her. We love you Willy!

Caught on Camera...

It has finally happened... The little stinker has figured out how to climb out of his crib... So tonight began the first night in his "big boy" bed... So far so good. The quality is a rough because the camera had to be in "night vision" mode...

Cade's Big Day Boating

I finally brought the camera boating but only got a few shots (it is hard to take pictures because one of us is always driving the boat which leaves noone to take pictures.) I wanted to make sure we took a picture of Cade and his first time riding the tube. Our friends went with us and their littlest girl loved the tube!

This is how we find Cade normally on the boat on the floor in the shade ASLEEP! It has been nice because every time we have gone boating with him, he will fall asleep down there and we don't have to worry about him getting sun burned. I think the motion of the boat puts him asleep.

Rec Center Swimming

It seems like all we do here is go swimming, which is fine by Cal. Between our neighborhood pool, the rec center and boating at the lake we keep busy. Here we are at the rec center Cal sure has a fun time going on the big slide with dad.


























We took Cade down the slide also. He is starting to like the water too. He didn't like it too much at the beginning of summer but enjoys to splash around and even float on his back now.

I WON!!

So my sister told me about this cute blog mommasassy.blogspot.com (very cute you should check it out!) Anyways, the first time I looked at it I entered to win a $25 Gift card to Mountain Aven Baby on ETSY, and I WON! She sells some cute little lounge outfits! I can't wait to use my GC! I am thinking about this little giraffe outfit?! What do you think? Thanks mommasassy and Mountain Aven Baby!

Sitting next to Tadders

So Cal's new thing is making sure he is always sitting next to Cade. While we are eating, Cal will push his place mat over, get out of his chair and push it right next to Cade so they can sit together saying "I sit by Tadders" (Tadders is how Cal says "Caders" which is our nickname for Cade). The other day Cade was in his chair eating a snack and Cal was sitting at the bar coloring. I was in the other room and heard the chair moving across the floor (normally this is Cal moving the chair over to the door to unlock it so he can escape outside) I came into the kitchen and this is what I saw... I guess Cal wanted to Caders to sit next to him while he colored. Don't you love how Cade is under the bar?! Pretty cute!