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

We have been without Dave for 14 months today. In so many ways I think, "Is that all? We have been through so much without him." But,it has only been just over a year. Life has given us struggles aplenty and they continue to flood in. Thank heaven for my home teacher who visits every day and lends me help. If it weren't for him, I'd be drowning in my troubles right now. The kids are still having their own problems related to dad being gone. More than anything, they yearn, as I do, for things to be "back to normal." It was always normal for dad to be around. It was normal to have both mom and dad disciplining, and doing the work, etc. Now, it's just mom. Dad is not physically there at the games or the programs. He's not there to play catch. I can't feel his arms around me- comforting me when I'm lonely. We miss him. That yearning doesn't seem to dissapate with time, but the associated overwhelming sadness does. We are becom...

When Caden told me that he wanted to play baseball again this year, I didn't want to let him. I spent a majority of the time last year arguing with him over practice, and even some games. It becomes very demanding on the whole family since they practice 1 1/2 hours 3-4 days a week. With 1-2 games a week on top of that. I'm now really grateful that he's a part of it. Last year, they lost the first game, but won every other- including the playoff game. This year doesn't seem as promising, but they are still doing well. Caden has improved by leaps and bounds. Most especially in his dedication to the game. They lost the last game by two runs and had to do ladders because of it. Hopefully that doesn't happen again. Whether it does or not, he's really enjoying himself and that's a wonderful thing to see.

After Caden's ballgame last Saturday, we took off for a hike up Kolob Canoyon. The jury is still undecided as to whether we hiked 5 miles or 9, but I'm thinking the lesser of the two. (Don't tell Caden.) It's great to get out with the kids. Look at those dirty shoes! They were all such troopers. It was a much longer hike than I'd intended, but when they realized that the only way to get food and to rest was to keep walking back to the car, they kept on. Jacob and I are hiding from the sun in a cave . . . right next to some unidentied animal prints. . . We had a lot of fun hiking up to the double arch. It would have been twice as fast if we didn't have to cross the stream every 25 feet. It was just georgeous up there. No enhancements or changes made on this photo at all and a beautiful day to top it off!

For some strange reason, I thought that the most important thing that I had to do was to make it through the first year. I did. We did. And now, things seem very difficult, as opposed to easier. It seems I miss Dave now as much as I did in those first days after he had passed away. I am grateful to say that, consequently, I have felt him nearby. I know that he continues to help me and our children from the other side of the veil, as well as other individuals that he loves and cares for. The gospel is true and it continues to roll forth like a stone cut out of the mountain without hands. The work is being done on both sides of the veil in preparation for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that to be true. As I am faced with each new day, I feel Satan trying to drag me down in despair and frustration. I recognize that he is there, and I also realize that God is there, That in His strength, and perhaps with the strength of his angels to come to my aid I can acc...

Happy Birthday to daddy's little princess! Allison's birthday was the day after Dave's funeral last year. It was so important to me that it was a day especially for her and it turned out to be just that. All of the focus was on her, and because of the funeral, she had around 30 kids at her party on a beautiful, warm day. It couldn't have been better. Now, she has grown one year older and is just one more year from being baptized. Initially, upon finding out about Dave's cancer, I plead with the Lord and asked that if he had to take Dave, would he please spare him long enough to baptize Jacob? The Lord heard that prayer. Now, Allison will have a choice of several worthy family members to baptize her on behalf of her father. In his foresight, Dave wrote birthday cards to the children. Allison's this year spoke of how much her Daddy misses her and encouraged her to hold on to the memories of all of the outings and fun times that we had together. He promised...

A few months before Dave passed away, he came across a talk that read as follows: "In Doctrine and Covenants 136:31, the Lord says, 'My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.'" "I now wonder how the Lord is pruning me. Am I learning the lessons he wants me to learn? Am I bearing fruit worthy of Him? Do I see and appreciate the guidance of the Master's hand in my life? Do I let go of what is unnecessary or sinful in my life and keep only that which is good?" I believe that we would all answer that Dave did. He went about doing good and was a positive influence in the lives of many, many people. I know that he continues to influence my life for the better. If you are reading this, please take a minute to add a comment. Share with us a memory that you have of Dave, a story of how he's affected yo...

You know that I would much rather have you here, but every time I walk past your picture and see your smiling face, I am assured that you really aren't very far away. I'll love you forever! Georgia