UNO

I don't usually post two posts in a day, but this is great. The first movie is Peter playing UNO with Grandma.



The second is Ben playing ... whatever Ben is playing- while chanting his mantra for the week; "DAD-DEE."

The Garden of Little Angels

May Our Granddaughter Rest in the Lord

Emma was laid to rest on January 20th in the Provo Cemetary. The funeral was short and respectful. Andi talked about the things we have learned through this experience. Kayleen read a short poem. I talked about the effects Emma has had in our lives. Kristen sang a beautiful solo "Consider the Lilies." Emma's Aunts and Uncles sang "He Sent His Son."




The temprature gauge in my car said that it was 12 degress. (BURRRR). This is actually a picture of Timpanogus with Jim and Becky's house in the foreground.




There is a little corner in the cemetary called the Angel Garden, reserved for small children and still born children. Emma was laid in a little plot where the angel looks over the children.


Tim dedicated the grave, one of the hardest ordinances he will ever have to perform.


We love and admire Tim, Tiffany, and everybody affected by Emma, her birth and her death. Our prayers continue to plead for comfort for Tim's family. Peter and Ben remain behind, reminding us of the love and experiences we will not share with Emma until the next life.

The Newest Bishop

Emma

Emma Charity Bishop was born on January 15, 2009 at 5:33 PM. She was born still. Tim and Tiffany knew going in that the chance of her not making it to her Birth Day was too high. Emma has taught us how to pray fervenatly to understand. She has helped us learn humility and love. She has helped us feel the gifts of peace and love from the Spirit. She has helped us remember that every birth is a heavenly miracle and that every death is the opportunity for someone to return home to Father. Tim and Tiffany now have three children.

They are a beautiful, eternal family. Emma has merely gone on to help prepare the way.

Looking Forward to 2009

The Very Best of Times

The holiday is over. It is time to go back to work. We have had a very good holiday. Mike Lecia and Matt drove in on December 22. Kelly, Andrew and Gabriel flew into Phoenix on the 23rd. Tara came in Christmas night, although with delays and broken engines, she really didn't get in until early morning of the 26th. We played super Nintendo,

Nintendo 64, and Mike brought his Nintendo Wii with him. We played a few games, ate some excellant food, and engaged in frivelous and sometime entertaining conversation. All in all, we had a great two weeks. Mike, Tara and Matt drove back on Jan 2. Lecia flew back the same day, but got back a LOT sooner than her husband and her brother. Kelly and the boys are still here.

Matt got (the DVD) Kung Fu Panda for Christmas, so we watched that movie pretty much everyday. We tried watching a few other movies, but Kung Fu Panda was the Number 1 choice by Andrew and Gabriel. I tried bowling, golf and baseball with the Wii, but bowling was the only one I was any good at. I watched Matt build his own Mii (character) on the Wii, so I decided to try too. Matt called his BIU. I thought maybe it was Japanese for "Good looking Son-in-law), but he said it was simply an acronymn for "Bad Influence Uncle." So I build a guy that was short, pear shaped, bald, with gray / silver hair. He is just like me, except he can bowl. The last 7 games he only had 5 open frames and was well into PRO status. (In the picture below, Gabriel does NOT want his picture taken. He thinks I will steal part of his soul or something. )

So it is time to be serious again. The reality of going to a funeral for my grandaughter is setting in. This time of year at work is my busy season, dealing with month end and year end and the government and regulatory reporting issues.

But I will remember this past year. It has been one of my very best ever, not becasue of where I have been, but becuase of time spent with our family.