When it comes to living our lives, Christ doesn't make up the difference. He IS the difference.

It will be a long time before I am able to write 7 years and 8 months with regard to David's passing, but this day is memorable in more than one way. It has been 7 years today since Dave's father, Clayton Allred, passed away due to complications from a brain tumor. In the 4 years that I knew him, he had a profound influence on me. He taught me much about family and unconditional love. My favorite words that he always spoke were, "I love you and I'm proud of you." And I knew that he was. Dave and I were both the oldest, so our first year of marriage was very intense most of the time. (We both insisted that we wouldn't have to argue so much if the other would just concede their position.) But even amid our quarrels,regardless of who was right or wrong, Clayton always took the side of the in-laws. (Wise man. It's much easier to stay on the good side of the women.) It also helped unite our family. It was he who truly made me realize that I was a pa...

If you can believe it, this was our house just three weeks before we closed on it. Adam Lake performed a miracle getting us into our house before the holidays. We can't thank him enough. Dave and I both thought that we had to get into the house so that we wouldn't loose our interest rate, but that wasn't it. We had to enjoy making memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas together- for the last time. Here is an entry from my journal just three days after we had moved in. " You think it's all too much, and then it starts to rain. We moved into our house last Saturday. We had over 20 men show up ( most of them high priests) to help us move into our new home that we haven't closed on yet. Then, about 5 women in the ward came to help me unpack. It was amazing to have the show of support that we did. Additionally, my dad came down, brought Jacob's pirate bed, and helped us assemble Allison's castle bed. My mom also came down and was completely amazin...

Hawaii was so much fun for all of us. It was such a new experience for the kids all the way around. They had their first airport experience, their first ride in an airplane, their first time out of the continental U.S., etc. They were absolute angels on the 6 hour plane ride over to Hawaii. I even got compliments from the passengers on how well behaved my children were. (I'll treasure that moment forever. I'm fairly certain it was because I'd specifically asked everyone to pray that the kids would behave for the ride over. It worked.) Our first 2 1/2 days were on the island of Oahu. That's where Dave and I went almost exactly two years ago. I was able to show the kids where we'd been and tell them what fun we had. Naturally, we visited the PCC and had all sorts of fun playing in the ocean. Hukilau beach, which is the beach nearest to the PCC was the kids favorite. They played in the waves and even did some boogie boarding. "Dum dum, you give me gum gu...

It was two years ago this month that Dave and I took a "second honeymoon" to Hawaii. It was great fun. (Much more relaxing than going with the kids.) We were able to rent a condo right on the ocean, so the breezes blew through our window at night. We enjoyed just being together and experiencing life and all of its wonders together. One year ago this month, we were at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes with my brother, Alden, his wife, Natalie, and their kids. By this point, the tumors in Dave's stomach were starting to bother him and he spent the first day throwing up and feeling miserable. Fortunately, and in answer to our prayers, he felt better for the last two days and had the time of his life tackeling the huge dunes on his 800cc Can Am. There is nothing that we, as his family, wouldn't exhange to have him here, rather than just the memories, but this is our lot. We know that the Lord loves us and that he wishes the best for all of us, but that doesn't necessa...

Aloha! Isn't it nice that aloha means both goodbye and hello? As if our separation will circle back around into our reunion. Likewise, death is an goodbye to life on this earth, but a hello and a coming home on the other side. Only three days left until the kids and I are in Hawaii. I am so excited to show them around the island of Oahu. That's were Dave and I went both times and we just love it there. It was a wonderful experience, and I hope to share with the kids some of the memories that Dave and I made there. We'll be on Oahu for 2 days, and Kauai (with Ben and Lisa and kids) for four. I'm hoping that I'll come home refreshed and ready to get back to real life again. Aloha!

Well, since it's almost midnight, I suppose that I can start writing. Who says I actually have to wait until tomorrow? Doesn't Dave have the most beautiful, catching smile? That's what charmed me from the very beginning. I can't believe that it has been six months since he passed away. It's amazing to think that we've all survived and we aren't that much worse for the wear. Naturally, we miss Dave and think about him often. ( I think about him every day, but I don't want to downplay every one elses feelings.) He was such a powerful man and such a strong influence for good. As I was doing this video, I downloaded twice as many photos as you see, but because I wanted them to fit within the length of the first song, I had to chop all but the most important ones: our family. Just about a year ago, as Dave sat pondering his lot in life and his contributions he questioned the Lord. "Is this it? Is this all I get to do? What have I accomplished?" An...

When we were able to speak with Elder Holland over the phone back in February, I was uncomfortable speaking to a general authority. I was afraid of stumbling over my words, sounding dumb, or saying something that I shouldn't. Dave, however, was completely at ease. He spoke to him as his friend and commented to me later that he would behave the same if the prophet or if Christ were in our home. "He is my friend. I know him and I love him." David did, and David does. Today I was able to drive with the kids down to St. George and meet with Elder and Sister Holland. It was an experience that I will always prize. But what amazes me the most is that I don't feel any different. I don't know what I was expecting to feel, but I just feel like me. He didn't tell me I wasn't doing things right, he didn't counsel me, he just listened, and provided hope. And Sister Holland? Hurrah for the sister's of this church. The backbone of the men, and the sup...