Lauralie and Derek are MARRIED

One of the most BEAUTIFUL Days for an August Wedding. The weather the day BEFORE the high was 114 degrees, the day OF the high was 92 degrees, and the day AFTER the high was 112 degrees. I guess that is what happens when you have 2 exceptional people getting married. Congratulations to Lauralie and Derek. Welcome Derek to the Walter Family. Sure glad we didn't scare you off. Thank you Aunt Drana and Uncle Doug for your INCREDIBLE HOSPITALITY and letting us use their backyard. Every thing was PERFECT. And thank you everyone for your help. We absolutely could not have done it without your help. YOU GUYS ROCK.

Flamingo Savannah at the Zoo

Flamingo Savannah

Grandma, Savannah and Isabella went to the Zoo with Savannah's school Class. We had so much fun and we got to see the fish and the giraffes and the camels.

Adam and Chelsea got MARRIED

February 28, 2009

Adam and Chelsea's wedding was Beautiful. Chelsea made a beautiful bride. Welcome to our family Chelsea.

Welcome to our Family Isabella Kate

Isabella Kate Kunz joined our family on January 23, 2009. Isn't she the most Beautiful Baby? Ok fine, one of the four most beautiful grandbabies in the WORLD, and I love being Grandma.

The "Two" Twins, Lilly and Layla Hancock

Introducing Lilly Ann and Layla Sandra Hancock.

(Adri said I could post pictures)

Doug holding Lilly, Adriana holding Layla on Thanksgiving 08. The girls are 6 weeks old.

Grandma and Adriana loving on the twins

Mom has been here in Mesa with Adriana for 7 weeks. She came while Adriana was in the hospital before she had the twins. Mom has been an absolute life saver. What are we going to do when she goes home tomorrow. Mom is an amazing lady.

Layla Sandra and Lilly Ann Hancock. Such beautiful little girls.

Mikenna holding "her" baby Layla.

Savannah holding "her" baby Lilly

Before the twins were born Mikenna and Savannah were having an argument and Mikenna piped up to Savannah. "Well MY baby is going to be born first." Hence the reason Layla is Mikennas favorite and Lilly is Savannahs.

Rogers Family Picture May 24, 2008

You know when the Photographer says "Cheese" there sure are alot of comedians. Here is our family picture minus 5 of us. We are going to try and "Crop" them in. Hopefully it will work. Anyway. It took A ton of effort on everyones part, but it turned out fantabulous. Thanks family for pacifying me. Now I realize the urgency. I just wish we were all there. I LOVE YOU ALL.

Gratitude

It's not that I don't want to post, its that when I sit down to post, it takes me SO LONG...

There are many things I am grateful for at this time of year. I look back on this most challenging year and wonder how we all got through it. But we did. Our testimonies are in tact. Our family is in tact. and we have a blue eyed angel boy in heaven watching over us keeping us on track.

Grandpa and Grandma and Grandkids August 1994

Can you imagine going through this life without the support of family and friends? I can't. As Thanksgiving rolled around and the memories of 1994 Thanksgiving flooded back so vividly, I know that Heavenly Father let Dad choose his time. I remember sitting in his office with him and he commenting that he didn't want to leave mom when it was just the two of them. Well. The house was full. Ben and Michele and Adriana were there. Dad chose his time. I have struggled for YEARS with the fact that I wasn't there. That he was tired and I didn't get to talk to him on Thanksgiving. But I have in fact felt his presence many times since. One time in particular I would like to share. It was at the kitchen table. Adriana and the kids and I were sitting around it talking, crying, laughing. It was once again November. A time when we still struggle with this loss. Anyway, alot was going on and we were sharing thoughts and memories together. It seems that Adri and I were both having a "moment". We were remembering the times that dad would give us individual fathers blessings when we needed them and we both wished he was around at that moment. Anyway, I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and give a gentle squeeze. I turned around thinking that it was Craig or Adam or one of the kids. Nope. No one. I turned around and said something to Adri. She said no one was there. The kids were either sitting with us or elsewhere. I felt it again. and this time I realized what it was. The spirit was SO strong, and we all felt it at that moment. We all had an incredible experience at that moment and we will cherish it.

So GRATITUDE? I am grateful to a Heavenly Father. For he knows and loves each one of us. He gives us little glimpses into eternity like he did on that day. I know we have angels close by us, keeping us on the right path, protecting us at all times and comforting us when we don't think we can go on.

Remembrance......

Sept 28, 2007

Remembering Grandpa Walter. It has been 1 year this week that Grandpa returned to our Heavenly Father and was reunited with Grandma. These two pictures were taken at Memorial Day 2008 when we were in St George. This was the first time Adam had been to Utah since Grandpas passing and wanted to come here and then get a picture at the "Walter" home. It was fun to be here and have a moment of melancholy thinking and remembering all the fun times with Grandpa and Grandma Walter. They were such fine examples to all who knew them. We sure do miss the hugs, the birthday cards and most especially the phone calls. We love you and miss you and we are so glad you and Grandpa Rogers were there to greet our Daxton. Take good care of him.

"TAGGED by Marilla"

Yes Rella, I did need an excuse to post. Thanks for the tag. I went to the 4th folder in "My pics" and went to the 4th picture in that folder and this is what I came up with. I LOVE THIS PICTURE. So about this picture. Craig and I were getting ready to leave for Bolivia the next day and I wanted to get pictures of the family to down load on my ipod so I could take them with me so Adam could see what we all looked like and he could show his friends what we were all about. We were just hanging out at home and the kids were over and I think Brittany had just made cookies to take with us for Adam and so Daxton was eating one. Of course one of the favorite things for any of the kids was to play with the car keys. Savannah loves to sneak them and push the red button and turn on the car alarm. Man, I love these guys, and I miss Daxton beyond anything I can imagine. Isn't he beautiful? and Don't these two look alike? So once again.... Thanks Rell.

It's all about Time.......

Ok, ok. So I have started this post a hundred times in the last 6 weeks. I am going to do it tonight even if it takes me all night (which it might). Please forgive me if I don't make complete sense, but this is a start.

You know, I have had many friends, family, tell me that there is nothing like being a grandparent. Better than being a parent. I could never understand how this could be. I have loved being a parent.

But then, Savannah was born. Oh dear, she was tiny. She fit in the palm of her daddy's hand. Then Mikenna was born. Her beautiful little features. She was a beauty. Then Daxton was born. Not fair that a little boy was so beautiful too. The intensity that you felt from the moment you looked into his baby blue eyes was incredible. He seemed to have so much to tell.

As I held and loved each one of these special spirits, I came to the realization that yes, I did love them as much or more. Why? Because their mommy was a part of me and I love her and each of my children more than life itself.

As I reflect on the events of the last 6 weeks and come to accept them, I realize we could not have made it through without the thoughts, the prayers, the notes, the kind words, and the acts of service in behalf of our family. Thank you isn't enough, but it is all I have to give. I am not used to being on the receiving end, I am the one who would rather give/serve. This has been most difficult for us. Thank you friends, new and old, thank you family, for always being there and thank you Dear Father in Heaven for carrying us when we were unable to carry ourselves. Todd and Ann, Thank you for my "Grandma Days". I will cherish them forever.

The most important thing I have learned through this experience is, there are so many little things that "just don't matter". The most important thing in our lives is our family. I have always thought I believed this, But now I know it.




This is my screen saver on my computer. Everytime I turn on my computer, Daxton is there to greet me. I wish I could squeeze his little cheeks, get a slobbery kiss (he was just starting to give kisses) and look into those beautiful blue eyes, and have boogies on my blouse. Oh how I miss him.

I am grateful that we took the time to "grab" that camera and "snap" lots of pictures. I love looking through pictures and remembering the events behind them. This picture of Daxton and Brittany was taken the night before Craig and I left for Bolivia to pick up Adam. I wanted a current picture of Daxton so Adam could get to know him.

The pictures of Savannah and Mikenna are a few of my favorites. Actually, I have about 2000 favorites. Daxton rarely ate from a spoon, he preferred his mom or dad feeding him off their plate with their fingers. go figure. But like I said, these pictures all have stories and they are priceless.

We have our good days, and we have our not so good days. Mondays are hard. I don't set my alarm on Monday morning cause I want to sleep the morning away. Doesn't work. Auto alarm goes off at 630am, 645am, 7am, 730am. (get the picture) So I lay there and remember.

I remember the conversation we had with our home teacher Sunday the day before Daxton died. How he inquired if there was "anything they could do for the Walter family". NOPE. We are fine. So incredibly blessed. Wonderful kids, wonderful spouses for our married kids, and exceptional grandkids. Good health, good work environment, great home teachers, blessed beyond measure. Wow...............little did we know. Less than 18 hours later. We would "need." But you know what? They were there. All of you were there. Never before have we felt an outpouring of love and support in our behalf. It is what got us through. Once again...........Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Thats all for now. I will get back to you before too long. Promise.

Our Chubba Wubba

So mom hasn't written on her blog since, well you see the last post. I thought I would do her a favor and update for her.

Daxton was born on May 31, 2007. We celebrated his 1st birthday by going swimming at the house. He loved the water..... as long as you were holding him close. He would put his head on your shoulder and snuggle in close.

On June 1, we were able to make a cake and Daxton dug in to all that sugar. He thought it was tasty, but after about 5 minutes he decided it was time to get out of his high chair, so I gave him to Doug and told him to hose him off in the tub. It was a great day. He was spoiled with lots of clothes and toys from grandma.... just like every grandson should be.


The next weekend was spent at the cabin with Aunt Lollie and grandma. They braved the task of loading all the kids and taking them to the mountains. A blast they had for sure! It was back to the Arizona heat for all them on Sunday night.

The next few days and weeks are a bit of a blur for all of us. Daxton left us to fulfill his mission in Heaven on Monday morning. Most of you know the rest of the story. If not, just click on Doug and Brittany and you can get the rest of the scoop.

We are holding fast to the knowledge that we will see him again and that it won't be long. It doesn't take the pain away, but it softens the blow, even if but for a second. Our testimonies in the Plan of Salvation and eternal families has been strengthened. We know that he is sitting at the feet of our Savior, learning from him and then teaching the gospel in Heaven.

Thank you to all those who have made this tragic event in our lives a little bit easier by your thoughts and prayers and the services rendered to our family. Hug your little ones a little tighter and a little longer, love those around you a little more, and be mindful of others and know that we all have different trials that take special care and attention.