Goodbye, Gram

Sunday night was Gram's viewing. None of our kids had ever been to a viewing before. We told them that they didn't need to touch her, or even look at her if they didn't want to. We were about two hours early so that we could make sure everything was just right. Each of the kids walked right up there and talked to her! Jackson immediately broke down sobbing and went to sit down. Kaydon never left her side. It was very sweet. He was adjusting her blouse, fixing her hair, puffing her pillow and fixing the lining in the casket throughout the whole viewing. Every time someone walked up to the casket, he stepped up right in front of them and just put his hand on her. He was extremely protective. Josh finally had to tell him that it was okay to go sit down. It was very sweet to watch the kids with her. It was a long, long night and the kids did great. Right before we left, Kaydon walked up and said, "Well, see ya Gram's body!" He was spot on. It was just a shell. Grandma wasn't in there anymore. Til we meet again Sweet Gram.

Santa Claus

Josh's dad (Papa) was Santa Claus at Home Depot this year. SO cute! We just had to go pay him a visit.

Christensen Family Day of Service

I woke up Saturday morning feeling strongly that we needed to do a morning of service. We don't have much, but we have sufficient for our needs and we are constantly blessed with the ability to pay our rent, our utilities, make sure our children have shoes and coats, and that we have food on the table because we pay a full tithe. I asked Josh about doing a morning of service and he was behind it, so we told the children to get ready. They were NOT excited. Therefore, I had a little "coming to Mama talk." I explained that their grandparents are taking them on a freaking cruise for crying out loud... the least we could do was serve. Hugs! We started at Walmart. We bought five $25 gift cards, one for each child. Then, the children went on their way and gave them to someone who they felt guided to. Jackson came back 15 minutes later with his card still in his hand. He said that he just didn't feel right about anyone yet. Then, an elderly couple walked in the front doors. I watched as my 15 year old son walked toward them. With one hand, he showed them the gift card and with the other, he rested it on the shoulder of the woman. He said to them, "My family is doing a service project this morning. We want to give you this and we want you to have a merry Christmas." The man was not fond of the idea. In fact, he kept telling Jackson to give it to someone more in need. Jackson explained that he couldn't do that because he knew he needed to give it to them. The sweet old lady took it and cried. Jackson cried too. I was a standing in a puddle of my own tears.

Next, we went through the drive-up at McDonalds. Don't judge! There isn't much out where we live! We ordered drinks, then told them we were paying for the car behind us. Wouldn't you know it... the car behind us ordered two drinks for a total of $2! However, as our kiddos watched out the back window, they noticed that she then paid for the car behind her, and that car paid for the car behind them. Service is contagious! People were blessed that day, but not as much as our family. After McDonalds, we went home and I made neighbor gifts, after which Brooklyn ran up and down driveways to deliver. She slept sooo good!

Grandma's Obituary

December 24, 1925 ~ December 9, 2014 Lorraine S. Pettingill, peacefully passed away at her home Tuesday, December 9, 2014. She was born December 24, 1925, in Moorhead, MN the oldest daughter of William and Nellie Olson Loe. The family moved to Layton, Utah in December 1942. She married Lee Thomson, June 1, 1944. They were parents to three children. Later divorced. Lorraine was active in the Bountiful Sweet Adeline's and enjoyed traveling to competitions. She loved cruises, Christmas and shopping. She worked at Hill AFB until transferring to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM in 1976. She was secretary to the Commander of the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing and received special recognition for arranging official functions. She retired from Kirtland in 1988 and returned to Utah. She married Rex Pettingill May 30, 1995. He died July 2, 2011. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Larry) Darley, LeAnne Christensen (Lance Boyle), siblings, Marlys Loe, William E. (JoAnn) Loe, ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She loved her family. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Larry, sister Lois Iverson, brother Donald Loe and granddaughter Justina Watkins. Graveside services will be held Monday, December 15, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Road. Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Special thanks to Summit Hospice caregivers, Brenda and Courtney and Senior Companion, Jan for their loving care.

Haircuts and Baby

Last night was hair cut night for the boys. Off to Miss Martha's house we went. Miss Martha's real name is Heidi, however she is perfect in every way so I call her Martha. Because I can. Miss Martha had a baby one month ago. Her name is Brooklyn Heidi. She is perfection. Literally perfection. Kaydon wrote a paper about her at school. So sweet. Last night, Kaydon begged to hold her and loved on her, ever though he kept calling her "it." Whatever. Jackson would rub her little cheeks, but he was terrified to hold her. Terrified. Jackson is terrified of everything. Finally, I got her to hold her and feed her so that I could write Martha a check. He was SO sweet with her. He even got her to burp six times. They talked about her for the rest of the night.

Oh, and the three boys begged Miss Martha to dye their hair. They are little divas!!!!

Beauty

I LOVE my Utah. It is the most beautiful place. However, I do NOT love the snow. I don't like driving in it, mostly. It's pretty and calming and fun to play in... I just HATE driving in it. It has been unbelievably amazing around here. The weather here has been in the 50s and 60s, with sunshine. It hasn't even been hazy yet! We have had our windows open at home and I've been eating lunch outside in the sunshine. It does my body and my mind good!!!

Tender Moments

Last Thursday, Josh received a call from his aunt. Josh's grandma was not well. He called me to relay the message and I got in the car and drove right over. Little Gram has a special place in my heart. She is feisty and sassy and funny. And, she loves me. :) I walked into her room. She was completely incoherent 98% of the time. She looks nothing like Gram any longer. Her spirit is in and out of her old and tattered body. It's mostly a shell at this point. I held her hand, laid by her, stroked her forehead and ran my fingers through her hair. I cried a little, too. I remember taking care of my Grandma Robb and my Grandpa Robb. I did much the same with them. They are so close to me every single day. I miss them terribly, but the closeness that I feel to them everyday reminds me that this earth life isn't the end at all. Gram Thomson is not a member of the church, nor is that entire side of the family. I talked to her a little bit about that as I sat with her. At one point, I told her I loved her. She opened her eyes slightly and mouthed that she loved me too. I cried a little more. When Josh showed up, she woke just a little bit, smiled, and mouthed that she loved him. I was so thankful for that. I hope that Gram goes quickly, and smoothly with no pain or anxiety. I also hope that she knows how loved she is.