Memorial Day

Now that we live in Utah it is such a FUN blessing to finally be apart of the traditions the family has done throughout the years.

I was always jealous that those things would go on without me

and I always felt like I was missing out on so many family bonding moments.

Not no more!!!

 

The Sunday evening before Memorial Day the Johnsons and Mathesons met at the Orem cemetery to honor Grandma and Grandpa Harston. 

It was my first time to see Grandma's grave site.



Grandma died when Maryn was 1 so the kids didn't know either of them.  I want my kiddies to know how important it is to honor our family who has gone before us. 

It reminded them of being in Galesburg, IL in 2009 where we wandered around the cemetery looking for Jeff's relatives.  

This was our favorite memorial site.

The Incredible Hulk being remembered with a cookie.

Jeff took the kids for the actual Memorial Day.

I was expecting on a day alone to unpack boxes and get a bit more settled in our house.

I was feeling overwhelmed with what needed to be done. 

But mostly I was feeling lonely as I saw the emptiness of the whole day before me

without my kids.

 

I hadn't even started working yet when I got a knock on the front door.

There stood my Mom, Dad, Merrill, Marc and Marty with cleaning supplies and toolbox.

I had a sudden flood of emotion---

I wasn't going to be alone for the day.

My family loved me enough to give up the majority of their day off to help me.

I loved that I lived close enough that they were there to support and help me.

I felt like a service project but

I was so grateful and filled with LOVE.

 

This is Merrill's masterpiece.

piling all the boxes so I could walk in the room.

They brought up the couch and chair so we could have something to sit on.

We emptied out this room so I could have at least one finished room.

They did lots more that I didn't take pictures of.

 

They gave me the hugest jump onto what needed to be done on the house.

I was feeling burdened with what needed to be done and they took a huge load off.

But, mostly it was just fun to be together.

I love them!!!