I know it has been about a month since I last posted. A lot has been going on with our life, and now that we are finally settled again, I am ready to jump on the blog wagon. I think?
As most of you know, we headed to Southern Utah in October to get away from some girls who had been being really mean to Ellie at school. The sad thing is that they were girls from our ward as well. Ellie was having a hard time dealing with this, and so we decided to try life in Southern Utah. We unfortunately only lasted a couple of months. It was really hard living away from Ray, and Ellie was not doing as well in school as what we had hoped. So, at the beginning of December we decided to come back home. We decided that we would just keep a closer eye on Ellie. It is probably what we should have done in the first place, but when you have a child that is in need you do anything and everything you can to protect them. So, here we are back in Northern Utah, and loving being a whole family again. I have tried to keep a closer eye on Ellie, and the (mean girls) and hope that these girls will soon grow out of their cruel ways. I am so proud of her and her willingness to forgive those who have been so mean to her.
Here is a picture of Jake and Ellie with Jake's little snowman.
An up close picture of our handsome kitty cat Skeeter.
Aren't these girls beautiful. I am so proud of them and their accomplishments in life.
My kids posing in their new PJ's Grandpa and Grandma Oliphant bought them.
I think Ellie is Skeeters favorite person in the whole wide world. He loves to snuggle with her.
Jake's snowman he built for a school assignment. He did it almost all by himself. CUTE HUH?
Can you find the smiley bug in the leaves?
Here's Jake posing with his very own "REAL COOL, & TOUGH" snowman.
I know I have talked about this handsome little guy before, and you have all heard me talk about him more than once, but he would have celebrated his 4Th birthday on the 18Th of December, and all though I was not near my computer to talk about him or leave a memory of him I was thinking of him just the same. I remember the day he was born very clearly. Ray and I were on our way to Ogden for a day of shopping, dinner and a movie. We were on the freeway when we got a call from our nephew Cliff telling us that Courtney had gone in labor their in Rexburg. We took the next exit, turned around and headed North, hoping we would make it in time for this beautiful babies birth. We made it to the hospital as Cliff's good friend Sid was leaving with his wife, and they told us that she had not yet delivered. Some time later she delivered, and what an amazing spirit this boy brought with him. What a sweet little boy. Ray and I felt very blessed to be able to be present when he was born. Then came the yellow skin, and a sick little Alex. Ray and I were sitting at home and got a call from a very worried Cliff and Courtney. They explained that the doctor had suggest they take Alex into Primary Children's Hospital, and they asked us if we could help them get there. We told them we would be waiting on the freeway on ramp for them and I remember praying that he would be OK. I remember praying to my Father in Heaven to bless Cliff and Courtney with the strength and Courage of Heleman's Army. It is something they needed as they were given the news that their precious Alex had Biliary Atresia, and would have a hard road ahead with surgeries, and pain. I remember more than once going with Courtney to the Hospital because of a sick baby, and with surgeries. I remember one day while Alex was in the Hospital, I was in the back with Courtney and a bunch of alarms and beepers started going off around Alex, I panicked and ran to have Cliff go back to be with her. I quickly slipped into the bathroom to catch my breath and pray to a loving Father for continued strength which I could only imagine they must need. I felt like my chest was collapsing, and he was not even my baby. I remember the day I woke up crying, sure that it would be the day they would be saying goodbye to their sweet angel. They had been in the hospital with him for quite some time and their family was their with them holding and loving him. I remember thinking to myself that Cliff and Courtney must have done something right in Heaven for our Father in Heaven to entrust them with one of his choice children. I stood amazed at his funeral at how composed they were, so strong and full of a faith like non other. I fell in love with Courtney the very first time I met her, but never knew how much my love for her would grow as I watched her go from just a niece-in-law to someone I not only admired, but was in awe of. She has taught me so much about trusting, loving, and honoring our Fathers Will. She is one of the most amazing people you could ever meet, and she is family. (how lucky am I) I was talking to a good friend of mine and I was telling her about Cliff and Courtney, and about their journey with Alex and she said that she would love to meet them. She said she was envious of me because it is not everyday when you get to talk with angels, and in her opinion that is exactly what these two were. I told her I imagine quite often that day when Cliff and Courtney are in Heaven and are reunited with Alex, and he thanks them for helping him full fill the earthly mission he agreed upon taking to earn his spot in the Celestial Kingdom, and how wonderful it will be to see him whole and well. What a reunion it will be. I love you Cliff and Court, thank for being who you are. Happy 4Th Birthday Alex, I love you!!!
This next picture makes me laugh all over again. This was taken at Grandpas 80th Birthday Party. We made this giant cake, and then my uncle Jerrol jumped out of it. I remember how surprised my Grandpa was, and how much he laughed. He had a good sense of humor, which I loved. He knew how to have fun, and he wasn't afraid to do so. Check out that sweet face of his.
I love you grandpa, thanks for the memories. Merry Christmas. 
