Grandma Anderson

When I think of my Grandma Anderson I think of love. My sister wrote up a beautiful post about her, and I know I couldn't do any better, so If you want to know more about my grandma go here. 

Grandma Joye was not technically my grandma, but she treated me the same as she did any of her other grand kids. Every Christmas I was invited to the Christmas party, and got presents along with my five older siblings. (who were technically her grandchildren) Grandma didn't care how we were related, she showed me nothing but love my entire life. She never forgot a birthday, she always included me and called me several times to check on me when Lincoln and Will were in the hospital. 

Tuesday I attended her funeral. And although I was sad to not have her in my life, overall I was filled with peace. I know she is happy and snuggling up with Grandpa as I type. 

As I walked in to the viewing room I felt like grandma was there with us, I heard her voice, it was coming from a video my brother Corbin had made. The room even smelled like grandma. A pale pink fabric lined her white casket that had pink, purple and white flowers flowing from the top. Grandma looked at peace. 

After family said their good byes they wrapped a soft, furry white blanket around her and closed the casket. 

We sang "The Lord is my Light". Grandma had a beautiful voice and loved music. As we all struggled to hit the high notes I wondered what grandma thought about our little number. 

Grandmas brother Dee spoke first. He spoke about growing up with grandma during the great depression, and wearing underwear made out of flower sacks. He remembered Joye as patient, fearless and resourceful. 

He told a story about grandma rescuing a cat that he dropped in the outside toilet. She rescued him with a rake and cleaned him up. The cat was just fine. He spoke of grandmas kindness and willingness to help anyone. 

He talked about Keith and Joyes loving relationship, and how they pampered each other. In Keith's later years Joye called Keith old paint. Joye said she had a perfect marriage and Dee could not recall hearing a harsh word between them. 

Joye's relief society president sang "Abide with Me; 'tis Eventide", and I think Grandma approved of that number. 

Grandchildren's memories were read by Janalee.

Keith and Joye's neighbor from Pleasant Grove spoke next. He spoke about the motorcycle rides the three of them would go on together. He spoke about the love that they had for them. He ended by saying "Keith and Joye are happy today, and they will be happy when we get there."

Joye's Bishop and current neighbor spoke last. He spoke about his eight kids and how grandma was always kind and loving towards them. Even when they plastered her front window in bubbles. 

We closed by singing "I Believe in Christ" 

I felt Grandma was close by, and her testimony was beaming through the lyrics. One verse in particular stood out to me. 

I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod.

I’ll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.

From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love

In his eternal courts above.

Love you Grandma! 

Bed rest

Is anyone still reading this? Judging by the spacing of my post I'm betting that not many are. Well good news, my post are about to become more frequent! At least for the next three weeks.

Last week was eventful, not just for me but for the country as well. Will was out of town for the first part of the week and I had the joy of single parenting for a few days. After three days of running errands, two photo shoots and trying to catch up on Christmas preparations, I found myself feeling a little...exhausted. I started cramping on Wednesday but decided to push through and finish doing what needed to get done. Okay I'll admit, going to DI to look for ugly Chirstmas sweaters was not a necessity. 

Will got home and Thursday was pretty low key. My girl friends and I had a play date planned for Friday morning. I had some light cramping in the morning but Lincoln was really excited and I figured it would go away. I headed out the door around nine to run a few errands first. After five minutes in the dollar store, it was very apparent that I would not be running any other errands. I sat in the car for a minute and tried to figure out what to do. The cramping lightened up and I headed to my friends house. We were about five minutes away when the cramping got worse and was accompanied by dizziness and nausea. I pulled over, and started balling. I was sure I wouldn't be able to move ever again. I said a quick prayer and regained enough strength to drive the rest of the way. Cramping started again and I felt like I needed a gurney to get me in the house. I called Will and asked him to call my midwife and ask her what I should do. I got the boys out of the car, got in the door and collapsed on the couch. My midwife called me a minute later and asked me what was going on. I told her I was dying and I didn't know what to do. Luckily she knows me well enough to know that I was only slightly exaggerating and told me to take a bath and she would be come over shortly to check the baby and make sure I wasn't dilating any.

I took a bath and the cramps stopped. Then as soon as I got out, they started again. My wonderful friends took care of my kids while I laid down on the couch. Will showed up and I again started crying. My cramping was very painful and they were starting to come in waves, which scared me. My midwife showed up, gave me some nasty medicine to stop the cramping, a spoon full of magnesium and calcium, and checked the baby. His heart rate was great and he didn't seam to be under any kind of stress. She checked me and said cervix was dropped down and my outer cervix was dilated to a two. She said I would need to stay on bed rest for the weekend and we would go from there. She also told me that I needed to be done nursing Spencer, cold turkey, no more nursing. He was only nursing morning and night, but I was enjoying the time to cuddle up and bond with my little rambunctious toddler. I also found comfort in the fact that he was getting some nutrition on those days he stuck up his nose at everything else we tried to feed him.

So anyway we went home and I rested the rest of the day. But the cramping didn't go away completely. I kept taking the yucky anti cramp around the clock but every time I would get up to use the bathroom, or move it would hurt. The next morning I called my midwife and told her what was going on. She told me to put her on speaker so she could talk to both Will and I. She consulted with an OBGYN and they both agreed that I needed to go on full bed rest until I am 37 weeks. I immediately started balling and handed the phone to Will. "No cooking, No walking, No lifting, No cleaning......" All of my plans for Christmas went down the drain, and I regained enough composure to say I didn't think I could make it that long. Angie said that in three weeks I can try to start doing small things again and see what I can handle. But the last thing I wanted was a micro preemie, so I needed to be careful.

Sigh. And so the last five days I have been sitting on my tush, thinking about all of the things that I need to get done. Mostly Christmas things. Trips to see Santa, trips to see the lights, playing in the snow, making cookies. Oh well, maybe next year. The important thing is, I can still tell Lincoln about the nativity, and teach him the true meaning of Christmas. The important thing is, this baby is fine, I'm fine, and we are both healthy.

Yesterday I went to my Grandmas funeral. The walk from the car to the church made me start cramping so the graveside service was out of the question. But it put a lot of things in perspective and I will write more about the services tomorrow for those that were unable to attend. She passed away Friday, 10 years after my grandpa. She was a wonderful woman and embodied love. I will miss her, but I am glad she is finally reunited with the love of her life.