February

February 4 - Sweet baby boy

James is 5 weeks old today. I love holding him. He is so good and sweet! 

February 6 - Pretty fingernails

Audrey and I went to Tremonton today. My hair dresser, Jeanie, who works at Possiblities also does nails. We had our nails painted different patterns of purple and white, with sprinkles of glitter. We're getting ready for Shaniel's Angelversary. It was the first time I had ever gotten my nails done. Can you believe that! It was fun. The lovely hand you see above is Audrey's. 

February 9 - Low gas prices!

Unbelievable! Gas prices are at an all time low at $1.69 per gallon. We haven't seen this price in years. I took advantage of it today and filled the car up.

February 9 - Grandma's place

I love it when the Mecham family comes to visit. Today was a good day for playing outside. Yep... and it's still February. Our grassy hill encourages races that often result in crashes. But that doesn't deter these little ones from doing it over and over again. Emilee gets a hug from mommy after her crash at the bottom of the hill. Oh, I wish I had their energy! 

February 10 - Angelversary 

This could be a very, very bad day... but the first year after Shaniel's death, Kelsey termed this day, February 10th as "Shaniel's Angerlversary". It's a day that we get together to celebrate Shaniel's life. We forget the tragedy and focus on the positive. We go out and eat, share memories, and release balloons in the air. This year we painted our nails, concentrating on our pinkies. They had to be purple! This was done in honor of Shaniel. Not only is it her favorite color, but it represents Domestic Violence Awareness. Amie and Steve could not make it, so they celebrated the day together. We talked often throughout the day and shared pictures.

This year we went to Bella's, a Mexican Restaurant in Farr West. The owner's are so kind and sweet and they hire exceptional employees. We shared Shaniel's Story with our waitress. She then told the story of how "Bella's got their name. The owner's daughter was tragically killed in an auto accident. They wanted to name their restaurant after her, using her own handwriting. Her signature was transposed into "Bella", hence, the new name. 

When the waitress brought us our bill, she had written a note on it. Our laughter was interrupted by tears. Tear of gratitude. Grateful for having Shaniel in our lives. Grateful for kind, compassionate people. We even got two (non-alcoholic) Margarita's for free! When we were ready to leave, one of the employee's walked outside with us and took a ton of pictures of us. Our "pinkie promise", to always remember Shaniel and bring honor and justice to her name by bringing awareness to Domestic Violence and pictures of us together releasing balloons into the air. 

It was such a good day. I'm glad we choose to celebrate Shaniel on this day. It has made all the difference in the world. Happy Angelversary to our dear, sweet angel in heaven! We love you so much!

February 12 - Cowboy's birthday

In case you're wondering who the cowboy is... it's Chad! He turned 40 years old today. Kelsey put on a surprise birthday bash for him. It was held at the church. Family and friends pitched in with the decorating and the cooking. We had yummy bbq beef sandwiches, chips, fruit kabobs, baked beans, coleslaw, veggies and dip, and a smore's bar. The campfire cake was awesome! Kelsey knows how to throw a party!

February 13 - Valentine surprise!

Emille opens a kiss from grandma.

I have always liked Valentine's Day. As a kid, every year our class at school made valentine boxes to hold cards and treats that we would exchange with each other on Valentine's Day. I carefully thought of each of my classmate's and picked out the perfect card for them. 

But the real fun came after school when it was time to dump the cards and treats from the box on the living room floor to see what messages were sent to me. Valentine's Day was not over with even then. It was tradition to give valentines to our neighbor friends. We would run up to their front door, knock loudly, and run like mad so they didn't know who was delivering the valentine. 

I still love doing that! I make up special valentines for the grandkids every year. Audrey's family is so young and lives close by so it is easy to surprise them with valentines. I put their valentines in a bag, dropped it at the front door, knocked, and ran... but not fast enough! It was still tons of fun for the little ones. They thought it so clever, how grandma had delivered their valentines, that they played the same thing over and over again. Alia put treats in a bag like I had. Ben gathered little sticks and placed them at the door. It was so fun watching them.

February 14 - Blow me a Kiss Valentine!

A great Pinterest idea! Large bubble gum and kisses lined up in a tube with a card attached. Easy!

February 18 - 7 weeks old

This little man is so handsome! His eyes are so engaging. He smiles, coos, wiggles and jiggles. I call James my little "bobble head!" I love him so much!

February 19 - Weird weather

This has been a most unusual and weird year. The weather has been spring-like for most of the winter. No snow on the ground means outside play is a-ok! I had Ben and Emilee bring their scooter and tricycle up to the house today. They spent a half hour or so scooting and pedaling around in circles on the cement driveway. James got a little bit of wind, but sucked it up like a big boy and then went fast asleep in his mother's arms. 

February 20 - Trip to Price

I stopped at Steve's house on my way to Amie's. He walked me outside when I left and we saw this amazing sight in the night sky. A crescent moon, Jupiter, and Mars. I am always in awe when I look up into the heavens and see the handiwork of God!

February 21 - Pinewood Derby

Jarrett participated in his first pinewood derby. It was held at the Elmo church house. The scouting program is alive and well in that neck of the woods. It was fun to watch Jarrett because he had fun! Each participant earned a really cool medal - a long licorice rope with a mint patty on the end. I am proud of Jarrett. He works hard at earning patches and participates fully in the program. And thanks to his parents for supporting this little guy!

Look out!

Look who's got her learners permit! I let Morgann drive her mother's car home from the church house. I think she enjoyed it! 

Pooh

I stopped at Shaniel's grave before going home. Someone had placed a "Pooh" bear on her headstone. It was such a happy sight! Shaniel... nicknamed "pooh" just fit her through and through. She'll always be my Shanielly pooh! I think of her every day. I miss her. I love her. I can't wait to be with her again. 

Orange Train Case

My first trip with my new orange train case! Why is that things we once had become such treasured memories? I was happy to find this case that was exactly like the one I had growing up. All the things it held... from hair accessories to make-up and lots of other treasures... oh! the stories it could tell! Sometimes it's fun to relive the past!

February 25 -  A great day to be outside!

It was warm outside. Ben and Emilee wanted to play outside. They struck a pose on the rocks of the waterfall. Grandma had fun taking pictures!

February 27 - Under the weather

Poor baby boy! James had his two month check up today and had his first series of shots. He was so sad. Audrey was sad. They both cried. A mother feels every pain, every hurt, every sadness that her child feels. I still feel that way for my children even though they are grown. And I feel it for my grandchildren. Those tender feelings never go away. That must be love. True love!

February 28 - Accident

Audrey and I went shopping today. We were just two blocks from her house and were stopped on 2600 North and 550 East, waiting for traffic to clear so we could make a left hand turn. Audrey saw it coming in her rear view mirror, but I didn't know what hit us! It was so fast. A truck rear-ended us at full speed (30 mph) and knocked us into on-coming traffic. The force of the impact thrust me forward forcing the seat belt to tighten immediately on my chest. I remember a green truck coming head on toward us. He swerved hard to the right, and stopped within inches of hitting us. Audrey quickly turned left and pulled to the curb. She was very upset about the baby and Alia. Alia was in the far back seat on the passenger side and took the full impact of the crash. 

The force of the seat belt caused a burn across Audrey's neck. I felt pain and tenderness across my chest. I felt a heaviness in my chest, like it was hard to breathe. My lower back hurt. James slept through the entire event. Alia screamed to her mother that the back of the van was gone. She quickly jumped out of her car seat and exited the van. She went to the back of the van and just cried. She was so upset. Later that night she expressed concern about the back window and asked her mother if the glass fell into the van or outside the van when it broke. 

I picked Alia up, hugged her, and put her in the front seat of the van. The responding officer gave her a small stuffed dog, which provided some comfort. 

It was frightening to think of what could have been. There was no doubt in my mind that we had Angels with us in the van. The glass shattered and flew inside the van. Most of the pieces were on the seat where Alia was sitting. The back seat was pushed forward and Alia's car seat was twisted in the crash. Yet... she was not hurt and there was not a sliver of glass that struck her. Nor James. That was a miracle! It was as if there was a protective shield placed around those two kids and nothing could harm them. And nothing did! I also have no doubt as to who one of our Angel's were... Shaniel! I know she is there to watch over and protect in times of danger. I am thankful that she is one of our ministering Angel's. I feel that mom and dad are, too, as well as other family members who have passed on.

Month in Review