Time to catch everyone up!

I guess it's time to catch everyone up on what's been going on in our lives. My last post was in Feb. right before I got to go to Alaska to help with Laura and the new little one Jayden. I flew out on the afternoon of the 17th of February with a stop in Seattle, WA and got into Anchorage at 8:38pm. Laura, Mike and the kids (all 4 of them) came to the airport to get me. I was pretty exhausted, but couldn't help but spend a few minutes hugging and loving all 4 of the grandkids (especially baby Jayden) that I don't get to see very often. The baby had an early morning doctor's appointment on the 18th so I got to hang out with the 3 older ones and watch cartoons and straighten the house and help them get ready for the day. We went to the Moose's Tooth, the BEST Pizza place I've ever been to. I've waited for almost 2 years for a slice or two of their Southwest Taco Pizza. YUMMY!
We just enjoyed the last few hours Mike had with us before he headed back to Iraq the next morning early. That was a tough morning for Laura, the kids, Mike...all of us. Laura, the kids and I spent the next few days having fun and enjoying our time together. Then all of that changed.
On the morning March 1st, Dana called early and told me that a large tumor on my Mom's liver was diagnosed as cancer. I was in shock. She had been sick when I left, but she seemed to be on the mend. Then it got worse that afternoon when Linette called me and said that the doctor called my Dad later on and told him he wanted him to know that he thought she had less than a month. I spent the next couple of days crying and not sleeping much. It was so hard to say "Good-bye" to Laura and the kids knowing what I was heading home to. They dropped me off at the airport at 10pm and my flight took off at 1am. I had a 2 hour layover in Seattle, WA and a 1 hour layover in Denver, CO and then landed in Salt Lake City at 1:30pm. Dana was there to get me and other than stopping to put fuel in the pickup and feed me a burger and Coke, we didn't stop till I got to my Mom's. Mom and I embraced and cried, but she was in a joking mood and seemed to be taking it all very well. I felt better after seeing her and relieved that she might be with us for a while.
I spent the next days taking care of my Mom. Dana and Libby took care of all the business work and Janie took care of the laundry and house. As it turned out, she went down hill so fast that she was gone by the 13th. It was a tough time, but it was a very spiritual experience for us.
We all got to tell her we loved her, do the service for her she needed, and say "Good-bye" to her before she passed on. I spent many hours rubbing her feet or legs or back and holding her hand and brushing her hair. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to do that for her. And then, at a little after midnight on the 13th of March, she slipped out of this life and on to the next. It was peaceful. The following week was spent getting arrangements made. We had a day to help dress her for the last time and I cried as I did her hair for the last time. She had such thick, beautiful hair. We had her funeral on the 19th of March and buried her in the Monroe City Cemetary.
It's been almost 2 months and I'm still struggling with the finality of everything. I really miss her. It all went so fast. I do great during the day when I am busy, but at night when things are quiet and calm, thoughts and memories come rushing back and that is when I fall apart. Then my dear Hubby has to hold me and put the pieces back together. It is one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. I'm so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that I will see her again someday.
As for the other things going on, we are in the middle of softball season with Janie, staying busy with the business, taking care of the grandkids, and altering dresses and making bridal veils for the two upcoming brides in the family. So things are busy as usual.

Newest member of the family!

Welcome to our newest little member of our family - Jayden Joseph George. Born on February 12th at 7:04pm weighing in at 9lbs. 10 ozs. and measuring at 22 1/2 inches long. Parents are Mike and Laura George and hewill be spoiled by big sister Brianna and big brothers Justin and Joshua (not to mention Grandma Loney when I get there next week). We are all so excited and can't wait to see him and hold him.