Roadtrip

Clara just took her first roadtrip to West Virginia and did pretty well. She loved seeing all the horses and cows along the way. The countryside up there is just breathtaking and I'm getting really excited to move up there. We stopped at the New River Gorge. Here's a little taste of how beautiful it was in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.

"I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A friend and former roommate of mine had this quote up in our room, which I always thought it was a good thought, but I guess I never thought much of it. But now, looking back on the past few months, I have come to understand it a little better. I have found I look at others and at myself differently and in a more eternal context. I am becoming aware of how suffering and sorrow has changed, and continues to change, me. I am sure that in her trials, Angela allowed herself to be brought closer to her Savior and that she learned many things because of them.

One of Angela's hospice nurses told me she thought of her vocation as a "ministry." As I thought about that afterward, I realized that I agreed with her. She was doing what the Savior himself would be doing if he were here: He would be mourning with those who mourn, succoring the sick and sharing His love. I'm trying to do the same.

"To live, to struggle, to be in love with life - in love with all life holds, joyful or sorrowful - is fulfilment. The fullness of life is open to all of us." -Betty Smith

Miles for Melanoma

One of Angela's good friends, Allison Aiken, is going to run the DC Marine Corps Marathon in October and is raising money for the Melanoma Research Foundation, in honor of Angela. I wanted to help her in spreading her message, so I've put a link on the sidebar if anyone is interested in helping her out. Thanks to Allison for thinking of Ang and our family!

All of Angela's funeral events were last week, and were really sweet and comforting. So many people sent beautiful arrangements of flowers, which we loved and appreciated. It's been wonderful to be surrounded by all their beauty. Thank you for all the sweet thoughts and messages during the past two weeks. Most of us are back home now and appreciating this time to spend as a family.

Birthday Party

Clara's birthday was last week, but we had her party yesterday. She has been talking about it for months: she wanted to go to the pool, and have a cake and balloons. She and Sarah helped me make the cake, which they loved. (Especially wearing their aprons.)

The morning started out with Mickey Mouse "waff-waffs," which she was super excited about.


Sarah helped Clara look at the cake before we ate it. So cute.



Clara loved her side walk chalk and the pajamas that her Grandma made for her. She is glad to finally be 2!

Disney World

I realized I hadn't posted any pictures of Clara since January...oops. At the beginning of April my family went to Disney World, which was Clara's first time. My sisters taught her who all the Disney characters were, and she had a great time. The first day we went to Magic Kingdom it poured and then drizzled all day. But it kept the lines down. (You can barely see Cinderella's Castle.)

Also, Clara still had her cast on, and we were able to get a pass where we could use her stroller as a wheelchair. This let us go in all the Fast Pass lines and in the wheelchair entrances to all the rides. It was wonderful! Angela got this pass once because of her cancer, and she loved it. She absolutely loved Disney World.
Clara also loved eating her first Mickey ice cream bar. Can't you tell?