A Little Update.....

 As many of you know we have had a lot going on. We are FINALLY moved!!! This move has been the worst one yet. We moved only a few blocks a way, however we had a few weeks to work with to move in and move out. We are done though! Our next move will hopefully be our last.

 On that note... We are out west right now. Brian has a six week rotation he is doing in Utah. We are trying to get a feel  for where we want to set up our practice . We have checked out Flathead Valley in Montana, Boise Idaho, ( along with many other Idaho towns) and Utah. We have a great job offer out in the midwest, and one in California. We will see.....

A few highlights going on before we left include: 

Jackson taught himself how to ride a bike.

Taylor completed his pinewood derby car race. He wanted to build a hummer. He did a great job.

A wonderful Mother's Day. 

With lots of exciting treasures.....

Dad stealing Mom away for a night for their anniversary while our good friends kept our kids.

Mom turning 30!  Her friend threw a surprise party for her. Great surprise, with all of her good friends invited! What a wonderful surprise it was!

Taylor, and McKenzie finished a wonderful year at Nash Elementary.

A GREAT Father's Day!

McKenzie finished off her baseball year successfully.

Jackson as an all-star in T-Ball. ( The picture will come later, can't find one... oopps!) 

    Mom completed two of her goals that were set at the beginning of the year.  However, completing one goal led to a change in the other goal.  I was doing really well training for a 10K but the night before the race my friend Aimee, Emily, and I realized we really should just stick to  the 5k. I was so grateful that I changed my mind.  I did really good and it was hard work training for it, I didn't quite get my goal of 24.5 minutes, but at this point, it was more or less just about finishing the race; completing my goal.  Brian, the kids, and some friends came down to cheer us on. Brian said that it was so neat to see me round that last corner.  He knew what my hearts intent was for running the race. It has been a long last few months for me. I just really needed to feel like I could have a success in my life. What an accomplishment it was for me. 

   This fall our family is training to do a 5K together (the Turkey Trot).  It's a fun thing to do as a family.  I've really enjoyed starting running again.  Thanks to all my friends and family for your encouragement and support. It's been a wonderful focus for me. Thanks to those of you who have inspired me. Your awesome!

Moved out of the old house...

And into our new house.

A few visits from Jonny , Katie. and Kyson Griffeth.

4th of July celebration. ( Again can't find the pictures.)

I will keep you posted better in the future. That is my goal once we get back home, and the kids start school. I am so sorry for the lack of posts. We are doing great, and are having a wonderful time seeing all our friends, and family. I will fill you in later with all our events. We have sooo many things to fill you all in on.   

Lots Going on!!!!!!

I really haven't forgotten how to blog. We have been so busy....... Here is a run down. I teach Piano lessons in the mornings, my kids usually roll out of bed right around the time that my last student finishes up. I know what your thinking? Crazy me! I like to teach in the mornings so that I have the rest of the day to spend with my kids. Besides that I have a hard time sleeping in.

The kids are in swimming lessons, they love it! Not me! It's only two and a half weeks long, but it is right in the middle of the day, 11:00am- 1:00pm. After piano, and swimming we usually have a few hours to hang out together. We are right in the midst of moving, so I have been painting the kids bedrooms, and washing windows, cleaning the new house and all that fun stuff. I try to do these things in between our morning activities, and evening ball games. All three are playing baseball, or T-ball. I love going to all their games, however, by this time of day I am tired. So we take the kids home for dinner, baths, books, and then bed. I then reflect on my day and realize that I haven't worked out for the day, so off to the YMCA I go. This new routine is getting old really fast! Next week will be different because swimming will be over. This will give us more time to go to the pool, bike rides, or lately we have had a lot of fun going on hikes (nature walks) together.

Brian just started a new rotation. He is now in his third year of residency. YEAH!!!! We have seen him at home a few days this last week. It is kinda weird! Something that we don't see much. I've loved it! He makes me laugh... Having him home more will hopefully become more of a regular thing. With Brian traveling so much this past month the gas is killing us! Last month we spent a little over $800.00in gas. CRAZY!!!! I know!

Some of you may know that we will be going out West. Around July 18th. We will be out that way for a while. I am going to spend some time in Montana at the cabin, and then head to Canada for a few days. Then the kids and I will be going to Utah, and Idaho. I would love to see all of you so give me a call or send me a note so we can hook up. Brian is wanting to spend some time out that way to see if we would even want to move out that way again. He will be working with different Podiatrists in the West. Who knows.... He has about six weeks out that way to decide if he likes it or not. I don't think I will be out that way that long. Maybe three weeks, I don't know. I have no plans yet

Anyways, I have lots to update you on and lots more fun things that are coming up. I have been having a hard time downloading my photos. We are working on it. Hope your all doing well! Thanks for all you love and support!

Guest Blogging

Hello Everyone,

This is not Tanya. It's not "Heavy B" either (he calls himself that, it was none of my doing. I have other nicknames for him). This is Jill. I am Brian's younger (and favorite) sister.

After thinking about Brian and Tanya all day on Monday, and putting off calling them because I was, and always am, worried I'd be interrupting family time - I took the plunge and gave them a call. I told each of them about our day visiting family graves - particularly about visiting Brian Junior's.

During our conversation, Tanya asked me to write a post here about my family's Memorial Day. As Brian Junior was buried out here in Idaho, I think all of us (local relatives) felt a pull to visit his grave since Brian and Tanya couldn't.



I called up Greg (our oldest brother) to see if I could do anything, or what had been done. He and his family had taken care of taking flowers out to the grave earlier that weekend. My aunt Lois Jean and Uncle Mel had phoned in orders to one of the local florist shops for arrangements to be taken to our family plot. Greg would have to give the specifics as I am likely to make a mistake in attributing what to whom, but there were four arrangements at the gravesite where my (and Brian's) grandparents, a cousin, and Brian Junior are buried. It was not only pouring rain but the wind was crazy that day knocking over many of the flowers.



I don't know which arrangements were intended for which grave and I don't really think it matters. There were four graves and four arrangements. There was also a bouquet of blue plastic flowers (shown in the picture) that was put right in the sod over Brian Junior's grave. I don't know who put them there, though I have my suspicions (another brother's family). There is no headstone for him yet, but it's not hard to tell that the ground had been removed and the sod replaced on a very, very small grave.


{December 31, 2007}


{May 26, 2008}

It was a perfect opportunity for my husband, Dave, and I to talk to our toddlers about life, death, and Heavenly Father's plan. What we did that day wasn't much. I felt kind of ashamed that we'd waited until Monday instead of going earlier and doing more as my brother's had. Then I realized it didn't matter.



Brian Junior's body is there, as are others, but he is not. Tanya told me that she and Brian, knowing they couldn't come to the cemetery this weekend, went to the temple the Friday prior instead. I think they had the better view of eternity and their little boy.

Happy Memorial Day, Brian, Tanya, Taylor, McKenzie, Jackson, and Brian Junior.



We love you all.

A Wonderful Mothers Day!

    What a great Mothers Day! My sweet little family did a wonderful job to make this a special day for me. It was so cute to see each of them get so excited to prepare, and give me the gifts that they made for me. To see each of their faces light up when I read their card or opened their gifts. It was really cute! They had each spent a lot of time and effort on their gifts. 

    My Mothers Day activities started on Thursday. I got to go to Jackson's preschool and hear him  sing to me. He made me a treat, and even decorated a cute little flower pot for me.

   McKenzie had been working really hard on a gift she was making for me. She was so excited to give me this gift that she had to have Brian hide it from her so she wouldn't be tempted to show it to me early. What a doll!!! She made me a special little pillow that says " I love You". She stayed up late at night and would work on it in her bed. She did a great job!  

   Taylor made me a coupon book. He put a lot of thought into the coupons that he picked out for me. He also wrote me a poem. He had me in tears!

   Brian helped the kids prepare to make this a very special day for me. He got up @ 4:30 am to go round on his patients, just so he could get back home and surprise me before I got out of bed. It was so nice to have him home. He did a wonderful job on making this a very special day. He knew that this would be a hard day for me. I get so weepy whenever I think of my children, or being a mom. I have been so blessed with four beautiful babies.....

  I love my children so much. I think about my children all the time, and the joy that comes from having them is amazing. I love them and pray for them always. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful children. What a neat precious gift, and to be entrusted with them. I remember the day when each of them were born, and to hold them for that first moment. Oh the joy that comes from that! I feel so grateful to be a mom. What a huge blessing it has been in my life...... (I will post some pictures later).

WHAT TO DO !

 As many of you know, we are living in the Kjar home. They are in Japan. We have been taking care of the house, and yard for them while they are gone.  They are coming  home in August, which leaves us with only 10 months till Brian is done his residency. Anyways, we don't know what to do. We don't know where we will be in one year. We are just now starting that process. We have a few great hookups. So do we.... 

 

  (1.) Try to save money all around, and send the kids and I to Canada. Brian can fly home once a month, and he will live with our friend down in the city. As many of you know he drives about 2 hours to work a day. It will save a ton of money, with gas prices being so high. You all know how cheap I am. However, I love my own space, so living with mom and dad my not be the best Idea. But My grandparents house is also an option because they will be in Utah. We would miss Brian a ton.

  (2) Nate and Lisa, Candace and Jason.......? We have talked with them both. Both willing BUT we will probably hold off on that one. I know Nate would just love the idea of two women in the house bossing him around. Just kidding Nate! I love ya like a brother.!  Candace would really just love another adult at the house. Jason works long crazzzy hours. But these ideas would both be way tooo much fun. We would still pay them rent.

 

(3) Or do we live in a rental for the next little while. We may have found a place. I will try to post it so you can look at it. The owner came down $800.00 a month for us. I told her our price range and she did some checking in on us. We had outstanding references. Thanks Minda for the good impute. How much do we owe you for that? So we would be at $12oo.oo a month with this one. Not really saving a lot. Our family would still be together. I would be close to my doctor.  We don't  want to buy here because of the market, and we don't know where we will end up. The kids could stay in the same school.   It's the same neighborhood we are in now:  

check out the link to the house: http://www.buyhomes.com/PropertyPage.aspx?MLS=989297

  Here is another link. Different,Both good.

http://public.mlswis.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=20080417192021496743000000&id=1

(4) Moving to Chicago is NOT an option for those of you who wondered.!!!!!!!        

  So this is some of the things that have been on our mind. Any ideas, or solutions for us. We would love to here your thoughts.  

Another snowy day!

Jackson woke up one morning during spring break all excited to ride his bike. This is a picture of Jackson shortly after he discovered it had snowed. 12 inches I might add! Some spring break.

Our Precious Baby

I know it has been a long time sinced I blogged, but with such an important and sensitive subject, it has taken me awhile to do it. So here is the story of our sweet baby.

On Dec. 21 I went in for my regular pre-natal check-up. I was 35 weeks along. Jackson was with me because it was going to be a quick, routine appointment. The nurse came to check the baby's heartbeat, but couldn't find it. She said it was no big deal and that the doctor would be able to find it. I already knew before the doctor came in that Junior had died. He tried to find the heartbeat as well. I then asked if everything was ok. He said "It doesn't look good. I don't see any amniotic fluid and there is no heartbeat." My heart sunk. The doctor left the room and Jackson came to my rescue.

He hugged me and we knelt to pray together. The doctor walked in on us and said "You are turning to the right source." He then confirmed that the baby had passed. I tried to get a hold of Brian but couldn't reach him for 3 hours. I called my Mom and tried to tell her what happened. Through the tears, I could barely get the words out. Letting people know was one of the hardest things I have had to do. Slowly, one by one, each of my sisters called me. Each of them all have their own struggles and trials, but they all tried to relate and comfort me in their individual ways. Their love meant so much. My Mom and Dad kept checking on me throughout the day.

My good friend Cara, just happened to call. With out hesitation she started to help. She took Jackson and then went to pick McKenzie and Taylor up from school. She told their teachers what happened. All the teachers were supportive and offered prayers on our behalf. My children are two of only 12 LDS students in the whole school.

Brian had been in surgery all day. When he finally got to his phone, he had numerous missed calls and a text from his brother-in-law Casey that just said to call Tanya now. I realize now, I needed that three hours to calm down and breathe enough to even tell Brian what happened. We were able to talk about it for his entire drive. He also called the doctor to make delivery plans.

When he got home we were able to get the kids back together. Jackson had brought me the picture we have of Christ and a child and said, look Mommy, the baby's with Jesus.

This was the perfect way to begin teaching the kids where the baby had gone and to begin the grieving process. We continue to be amazed at how much they understand, and the things they have said. It seems that children often have stronger, more simple faithful testimonies than adults sometimes. They teach us and those around us so much more than we could teach them about life, death, and the eternal plan.

Shortly after Brian got home we went to the hospital so I could be induced. The Bishop and Glenn, Brian's friend, came to give us a blessing. I can't remember much of what was said, but I can still remember the feeling. The spirit was so strong. Even now, I can still feel it and find comfort from it. Junior was born at 2:30 am on Dec. 22nd. The delivery went well, the same as usual. With out a cry to offer, it was hard to know when he was born. He was born a perfect tiny baby, he looks just like us. He was beautiful.

When things like this happen, it is so hard to know what to say or what to do. We had friends we hadn't talked to for months that came to share their love and sympathy. It meant so much to know that people cared and loved us, even when there was nothing they could say or do to change it. We received calls from all over the world that expressed the same love as those that were here shared with us. As terrible as the events are, it has brought us together and strengthened friendships. We can not express our gratitude to all of those that contacted us.

My parents came to Wisconsin on the Sunday before Christmas. This was such a blessing for us and a sacrifice for them. They were going to spend the holiday with Lani and Casey in preparation for Casey's T-Cell transplant. Brianne and Nate were also able to come from Michigan. They came just as soon as they could. Brianne was able to make it in time to help me home from the hospital. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of leaving the hospital without my baby. I am just so grateful that Brian and brianne were with me, they helped fill that empty feeling. My family was so much help and it was wonderful to be surrounded by all of them.

While my family was here, we went to the funeral home to dress Junior. Brian, my parents, and my sister Brianne all came with me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it myself. But it turned out to be a very spiritual and special moment for all of us. We all got a chance to hold him.

At the first of the year we headed out to Idaho to have the funeral for Junior. He was buried in the Griffeth family plot in a beautiful area with amazing views. It will be a lovely place for resurrection at the second coming. We were so pleased and blessed with all of the support that we received. Our good friends, the Christiansens, came up from Utah for the funeral. It was so wonderful to see them. We also had the Kjar's, the family whose house we are renting, come as well. We had a small and simple service for Junior. Jana, my sister-in-law, sang one of our favorite songs, "Be Still My Soul". The bishop of Brian's parent's ward gave a few words. Then my dad led a family prayer. We then headed to the graveside and had a dedicatory prayer offered by Brian's dad. It was short but the spirit was so strong. It was wonderful to see all of Brian's family. We were even able to get a family picture together, something that hasn't happened in all long time. We then spent a few days with family before heading back to Wisconsin.

When we got back to Wisconsin we received so much service from those around us. We had meals brought in from our kids teachers, parents of my piano students, and ward friends. We were given lots and lots of flowers, sweet cards, and donations to help with the funeral costs. Even now, almost 4 months later, we are still receiving these same tokens of love. We will never able to thank all those that have shown their support. We just hope that they all know how deeply grateful we are.

One of the things I have learned through all of this, is when there are no words, there is still love and friendships. If anyone ever asked me what they should do for someone else, I would tell them just to be there for them. Don't stay away no matter how hard it might be to express how you feel. I needed those that were with me. I know nothing can make it better or change it. I need companionship.

The family is adjusting and it has been an amazing chance to teach our kids about the gospel and eternal life. We are so impressed at how well they have done. We have felt the spirit so much and it has strengthened our family. While it is still hard, we are doing ok. Some days are better than others, but we know that we are going to make it. Our testimonies are stronger, our love has grown, our family is stronger than ever. We know now how much faith the Lord has in us, and that He will protect and bless us in our time of need.

When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked. When we have been weighed and found wanting, let us remember that we were measured before and we were found equal to our tasks; and therefore, let us continue, but with a more determined discipleship. When we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not over program us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear. (D&C 50:40)

~~~~~~~ Brian James Griffeth, Jr. December 22, 2007 ~~~~~~