The Dancings!

I received one of those phone calls this morning that you hope you never receive. My beautiful sister was on the other end of the phone, and could hardly choke out the words. She told me something really horrible had happened. All of a sudden, a dozen scenarios went through my mind, and my body went numb. She told me that her best friend, Taylia Olsen, had died that morning. You see, Taylia lived in Michigan and was in the same ward as Sara. They were best friends. And by best friends, I mean that they did everything together. They even took turns cooking dinner for each other's families. As a working mother, at the time I didn't quite understand the relationship, and thought it was odd to be that close to someone. Now I am at home, and I totally get it. I understand the need to be close to someone as a mom. Someone that gets what you are going through, and sees you for who you are as a woman, not just a carpool driving, cooking, cleaning and putting-out-the hottest-fires-mommy. So, Taylia was Sara's someone. And now she is gone.
Taylia moved to China with her sweet family awhile back. Sara had been on skype with her many times, and they still communicated frequently. She was doing her daughters hair, and collapsed and passed away. Just like that. Bradley and I are both friends with her on Facebook, so we went to her page. An hour or so before she passed away she had been on Facebook playing Farmville. I said to Bradley, "If she had known she had an hour or so left, do you think she would've been on Farmville?" I began to cry and knew I had to blog. If I only had an hour or so left in my life, what would I do?
I would tell the people in my life what they mean to me. So, I am going to do that right now.
Bradley,
With everything that we have gone through in the last twelve years, you must know that you mean everything to me. Highs and lows, ups and downs, you are my constant. You have always wanted to take care of me, and sometimes I haven't let you, and for that I am sorry. I'm a stubborn girl, but this stubborn girl will love you forever, and for always, and no matter what.
Braelin,
My beauty. You and I are too much alike for words. I can feel your moods by whether or not you've eaten or slept enough. You are so precious, and have such a tender heart. I am blown away by your ability to love others so freely. I am so grateful for all that you teach me each day, and for your sweet hugs and kisses. They build me up, and I know that my Heavenly Father loves me every time I look at you and your sweet smile.
Devrie,
Devrie-Doo. My fiesty angel. You make me laugh so hard. I could look in your big, amazing brown eyes forever and just wonder how we got so lucky to have you. You are so smart, and I'm a little scared that you are already smarter than I am! When you purse your lips to kiss me, I feel so lucky to get that smushy kiss. I love our time together each day, even though it might not seem like it all the time. I feel very blessed to spend my days with you.
Aislen,
My baby girl. What a blessing you have been to me. I love spending time nursing you. Just you and me. It is so tender when you rub your sweet soft hand on mine, something you do every time you eat. You are spoiled because you are my last and I don't want to miss a thing....I missed a lot with your sisters, and I will pick you up every time you cry. You have the greatest dimples, and when you light up each morning, it warms every part of me. I love you, my little stinker monkey.
Mom,
I love you. What more can I say to someone who has been everything to me? I am so grateful that you are my confidant, and that you listen to me, even when I'm being ridiculous. Thank you for teaching me how to love unconditionally. You are amazing.
Daddy,
I have always tried to make you proud of me. Lately, I don't feel like I've done a very good job of that. Nevertheless, I hope you are proud of me, and I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I look up to you. I love you.
Matt,
My little big brother. So proud of you and your accomplishments. You are a great husband and dad, and those two things are the most important. I love you and Andi and your boys very much, and wish I could see you more.
Sara,
My sweet sister. I couldn't bear the thought of you not knowing how much you mean to me. You are my go-to gal. I have never laughed harder. You get me. And I see you, and how wonderful you are. Not to mention the fact that you are just absolutely beautiful. I am so proud to call you my sister. I love you. I love being Aunt Lo-Lo to your amazing girls, and I hope George and your family know how much I love them.
Evan,
O-Evan. The most loyal of the bunch. And sooooo stinking hilarious! I had so much fun just talking to you and reconnecting when you came out here to help me paint my kitchen. Every time I walk in here, I think of you, and your willingness to come all the way down here and help out your nearly non-existent big sister. I love you very much. I want the best for you always, and I believe in you. I hope that you know that.
Ian,
I will never forget the time we were in Baton Rouge and I was a complete basket case, and you gave me a blessing. What a man you have turned out to be. And how awesome it was to share that experience with you. My little brother is a spiritual giant. I am so thankful for you in my life. I love living vicariously through your awesome experiences, and I am so looking forward to your bright future. I love you so much.
Mom and Dad Dance,
Thank you for treating me like your daughter. Thank you for loving me despite all my weaknesses. And thank you for raising such an amazing son. No, he isn't perfect, but he loves me and my girls more than anything. And when it comes down to it, that's all that matters, huh? I love you both more than you could ever know.
Sabrina, Eric, Julia, Quinn, Brianna, et al,
Thanks for putting up with me and all my crazy antics. I know that I have no filter, and sort of busted in on your family and talked about loads of things I shouldn't. Thanks for loving me anyway. I have so enjoyed all the times we have been together as a family. I love seeing you all and talking and laughing. It's just the best. What a great family I married into.

All my extended family....I love you as well. I am so grateful that I believe what I believe. And I do believe that we will all be together forever someday, if that is what we want. I am thankful that I am surrounded by people that I WANT to be with forever. That makes the journey there much more enjoyable, and the destination that much more exciting.

So, Taylia, I know that Farmville wasn't what you would've been doing had you known you were in your last hour. I am taking the chance to write down my feelings, and I'm sure they would've been very similar to what you would've said had you known Heavenly Father was taking you back today. Know that in the wake of this very, very sad day, you have taught me a very valuable lesson. I cannot procrastinate, I need to say what needs to be said, I need to do what needs to be done, and I need to love more than I have been.

We never know when our last hour is up, and I want to take advantage of every minute I have.

We had a baby girl. We named her Aislen. It isn't pronounced Ass-len. It's Ace-lin. Like Ace In The Hole. Or Ace of Base. She's a pistol. She was born real fast, and we are real glad we didn't turn around to get the camera because she would've been born in the car without an epidural.

The girls were flowers for Halloween. I made their outfits. I had officially lost my mind at that point.

Devrie continued to get into loads of trouble, especially when Mommy was nursing the new baby.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at home just the five of us. It was an event, but I think it was more difficult to get everyone outside to the gazebo for a semi-family picture. (Bradley took it, so he wasn't in it.)

Braelin had some visitors in December when she was Baptized. We also blessed Aislen the same weekend.

In January and February we went to Utah twice. We got to see a lot of family, but it was sad, too because we had to say goodbye to Grandpa Buxton, who we love so much and miss dearly.

We celebrated Devrie's 3rd Birthday just last week. We are loser's and didn't take any pictures of that, but this is what she looks like today:

So, now I am pretty much caught up! With the Blog, anyway. The rest of my life is a nightmare for even the strongest of procrastinators! But, at least my BLOG is updated. That's how you get into heaven, right?????