Happy Birthday Lisa!

God sent us to be sisters
So we can be best of friends
To be there for one another
Even when there is pain
I thank the Lord for sending my sisters to me
For whom I truly love and care
We shared so many things together
Like laughter and some scares
It’s funny how we sometimes argue
I guess its normal, in this world
But, having you as my sister
Means more to me, more than you'll ever know
I wouldn’t trade you for anything
I will never let go
As our friendship continues to grow
So will my love for you
Just always remember you can talk to me
I'll be the best friend you ever knew

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest people I know! I love you so much Lee lee:)

Happy Birthday Grandpa Braegger!

Today is my grandpa Braegger's birthday he would have been 94. Its crazy to think how long he has been gone. Its been an emotional month thinking about grandpa's. After losing one this month and the other having a birthday. I am so glad for their examples through the years. I shouldn't leave my dad's dad out since he is still around. They all served in different parts of the military. Grandpa Glen was in the navy, Grandpa Keith in the Korean war and army. Grandpa Braegger was a Marine and they were all proud of their service. We didn't hear many stories and I dont blame them. I am sure the things they saw were not pretty. In fact some of the things I did hear I dont know how they were able to go on. When Grandpa Braegger passed away we didn't have a military service at the grave and we should have. I really think it was the fact that he was gone in a week. It was such a shock and hard to accept. I feel bad we didn't honor him that way. I know he loved our country and fought hard for our freedom's. I remember him going down to the flag pole to put out the flag. They are all so patriotic maybe that is where I get it from.

At my grandpa Keith's funeral they did do the military service.It was really neat to watch and touching. They have such high respect for the person that died and for their service. I thought it was really cool how they folded the flag 13 times. I knew there would be a meaning to that so I looked it up. It was cool so I thought I would share:

The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold of the flag is a symbol of the people's belief in the eternal life.
The third fold of the flag is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold of the flag represents the people's weaker nature. For as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him the people turn to in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold of the flag is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decauter, “Our country, in dealing with the other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold of the flag is for where people's hearts lie. It is with hearts that people pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold of the flag is a tribute to the Armed Forces, for it is through them that the people protect the country and flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of the Republic.
The eighth fold of the flag is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that people might see the light of day, and to honor one's mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold of the flag is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion the character of the men and women who have made the country great molded.
The tenth fold of the flag is a tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of the country since he or she was first born.
The eleventh fold of the flag, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The twelfth fold of the flag, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Upon the thirteenth and final fold of the flag, the stars are uppermost in remembrance of the United States' national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After folding the flag they kneel in front of the family member and say

On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.
Depending on what part of the military you served in they have different things they say for the different organizations.

Thanks for being someone I can be proud of love you all! Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Nick's Birthday

There is a cute family in our ward that has really taken us under their wing. Its hard to be away from home sometimes. They make it so much better and have adopted us! We love being the fun aunts that can spoil them:) Last year the parents were on a fun trip and got home on the youngest birthday. I know I blogged about making him a cake. Its kind of snowballed and this is the 3rd cake for them. This was for their son that turned 12 this year! He loves legos and camping so I combined the 2. I think it was a pretty big hit! I look forward to making more cakes for them if they request it:)

Do you ever feel like you have so much to blog about but not enough time to do it? Well that is my situation as of now. I am still looking for a few more pictures and then I will be ready to write a few things down. Its been a crazy couple of months! I hope your lives are slower then mine. I will blog soon I promise!

Looking back

Its been a rough end of 2010 and beginning of 2011. With the death of my cousin Shawna and my grandpa Keith close behind her. I have never dealt well with death. I know we will be able to see them again but I am sad. Its been a hard thing to have 2 deaths so close together. I was lucky enough to go back to Utah for both funerals and I am so glad. My cousin Shawna's funeral was so hard with lots of crying and emptyness. I think it was the fact that she died so young and left a small family behind. At my grandpa's funeral there were tears but a peace that made it so much better. They were both so full of cancer and it was a blessing they could both pass on. I am so truly blessed to have been born into such a great family! I think of the short 31 years that my grandpa was apart of our lives. I am so glad that my grandma was able to find him and have the kind of life she always wanted. I was reading grandpa's life history up until the day before he passed away. He had quite a life full of his own heartaches but he never lost his faith. He prayed harder when he didn't think he was able to go on. After meeting my grandma he said "Looking at the circumstances which led to us meeting it would appear to be the hand of the lord leading our footsteps." I hope I can have the kind of faith he had even in his darkest hours. I am sure going to miss his amazing hugs and his sweet ways. He was truly the best grandpa. He will be deeply missed but I know he is in a better place and I wouldn't want to take him away from that. I read this poem that fits perfect with the way I feel. love you grandpa!

Miss me, but let me go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free

Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go

For this is a journey that we must all take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home

When you are lonely, and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - but let me go

Grandpa Keith

The love we have for Grandpa
Will never fade away.
We will think of him, our special friend
Throughout each passing day.
We will walk into the room
And see his empty chair and
Although we know he is gone for now
We will feel his presence there.
The memories of his laughter,
His warm and loving smile,
His eyes so full of happiness,
His heart that of a child.
Memories are forever
Be they laughter or of tears,
Memories we will treasure
Through all the forthcoming years.

The winner is.....

all of you! Since I only had 3 comments I figured why not do something for everyone! I will be sending it out soon. Thanks for being my faithful readers!!