My Aunt Rhonda

My aunt Rhonda was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer.  Luckily she lives close to my aunt Julie who has been there for her every step of the way.  My mom has also made many trips to help as this has unfolded over that last little while.  Paige and I were trying to count the weeks and we think my mom has been gone about two months total since last summer.  My grandma ended up moving to Utah a couple of months ago and has been able to spend lots of time with her girls.  

Rhonda has been through a couple of different treatments and has had many ups and many more downs.  She was such a trooper through all of it as she dealt with the idea of leaving this earth sooner than she had ever planned.  Rhonda was never married and has never had children.  I had a conversation with her a couple months ago when she expressed to me her fears of leaving no one behind.  The sadness that she felt from never having a family of her own really made me hurt for her.  

At this point in time Rhonda is receiving hospice care at my Aunt Julies house and the veil is slowly thinning for her.  My mom made it down there last night in hopes to ease some of the pain everyone is feeling, or to just simply cry with them.  Rhonda is in and out as far as being awake goes and the main priority right now is making sure she is comfortable.  My mom gives me quick little updates when she can.  The past couple of days Rhonda has been in "another place".  She wakes up thinking she is going on her mission again.  Thinking about this now makes me a little emotional.  What a tender mercy that the Lord is preparing her in a way that no one else could.  One of her happier times in life was on her mission 30 years ago.  Now, I believe the Lord is preparing her for her next mission.  

I know that throughout this illness she has expressed to me and probably my mom and julie and my grandma among others that she is afraid to die.  Her questions are why me? why now? I know that she feels like she has so much more to do here before moving on.  She's been through a lot in her life and she's come back from it all.  I honestly believe that the Lord is satisfied with her progress in this life and wants her to teach others about the realness of the atonement and pure love that Jesus Christ has for us all.  She has experienced fully the gift of the atonement and is the perfect tool for those waiting beyond the veil.  

I know she'll probably never read this but I want her to know how much I love her.  I am still young but I have watched the changes she has made in her life and I can't imagine the strength she must possess in order make those changes.  Our family is a small one but she is a big part of it.  She has been the tool in bringing her family together as one. I can't think what I'd do if it were one of my sisters (or brother) who was in her position.  My world would fall apart.  But my mom's family has kept it together and they have grown so much from this experience.  

I haven't dealt with much death in my life.  My Grandpa died in March '06.  His death brought our family closer together too.  He was not a member of the church and I've always wondered what it would have been like for him to pass through the veil.  I feel very strongly that Rhonda will see Grandpa (who was her step-dad) and I know it will be a very sweet reunion.  

I am headed down to Utah on Friday and I hope I make it in time to tell her how much I love her and to bear my testimony to her that I know the Lord loves her and I know he has so much in store for her once this battle with cancer is over.

Rhonda and Grandpa dancing at our wedding

Sunshiny Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday! The festivities started Friday night when Jake brought home 24 red roses. Saturday morning my mom came over and power-washed my house and deck for the summer.  She brought some chocolate chip scones, some earrings, a shirt and a tjmaxx gift card with her.  She knows me too well ;)  Jake had a temple trip with the youth so he was off after making some french toast for us.  We all got ready and headed over to viking fest in Poulsbo to watch carly dance.  It was a beautiful sunshiny day to be outside.  After the dancing we went back to the Gorman house and waited for Jake to get home. That night we went out to Spiro's and ate outside in the warm sun then had the whole family over for some red velvet cake (made by Jake) and icecream. Matt and Nicole bought me the movie Taken, LOVE IT! and the Fry's gave me a SHOPPING SPREE! Don't know what I'll use the cash for yet but I can't wait, I love shopping at antique stores and stuff so I'll post on what the prize is later!

Today was another beautiful day.  After church Jake and I pulled out our giant cot and set it up in our driveway to soak up some sun.  I'm sure with the power washer still out and toys strewn all over the driveway we looked a lil' trashy laying in a cot but hey, it was awesome. Now as I sit on my couch with my warm pink skin I really feel as if summer has begun.  I can't wait for the sunshine this summer.  I can't wait for a summer without being pregnant or having a brand new baby that has to be indoors.  

Oh, and I can't  wait to use the new speakers for the laptop from Jake.  Now I can watch the office while running on the treadmill!!!!!!!  A pound a week till "Beach Week". Which is appx. 10 weeks away. 

A quarter of a century

One by one each year flew by,

Since you both said "I do"...

25 years of memories,

Shared by the two of you.

From big events and holidays

To simple daily pleasures,

Some tearful times along life's way,

Some joys that can't be measured...

One by one each year now gone,

But still they're yours forever...

Each and every memory,

Of a quarter Century together!

Happy Silver Anniversary!

(Unknown)

I love you Mom and Dad! Thank you for your wonderful example of what it takes to make it work and enjoy every second along the way!!!!

I'm back! For a day anyways...

So although I've had a million things to post about, I've just been so busy! I guess I'll go in chronological order.

3/27-3/29 Went to Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane, WA.  Took Jack and drove there all by my lonesome. Our team had a bad weekend placement-wise but it was fun none the less. Cooper had fun with Grandparents and lots of time with Dad that weekend. Barely noticed I was gone.

4/1 Jake's brother Dan returned from the New York, New York South Mission.  Matt, Nicole and kids and Mike and his girly came for the occasion.

4/3 Mike proposes to Kayla and she says yes! They will be married in the Seattle temple on June 17 with a party to follow over in Rexburg, ID.

4/7-4/9 I watched my boss' (OPVBC Director) kids for a couple days while she and her husband went to Vegas for their 20th.  Cooper and Skylar got along pretty well, it was fun to have another chatty kid around.

4/10 Jake's sister Brittney comes home for a couple of days!

4/18 We take a lil' trip out to Port Townsend and Fort Warden.

4/12 Easter Sunday. Dan and Britt sing as beautiful as always in church.  Gma and Gpa Fry are there too! Dinner at the Frys and a birthday celebration for Britt.

4/22-4/28 Nana and Papa (my dad's parents) come for a visit.  They met Jack for the first time and meet the "real" Cooper. (He was only about 10 months old last time) I only got to see 

them for a couple of days because.....--->

4/23-4/27 Far Western Qualifier in Reno, NV.  Great fun on that trip.  Placed 29 out of 102. Not as sparkly as Vegas but ran into lots of weirdos anyways.  Stayed in a really smoky but pretty hotel and ate at lots of cool places. 

4/30-5/6 Came home from Reno, turned around and wen

t straight over to the Johnsons to watch their kids for a week while they were in Boston for a Ortho convention thingy. I've been watching their kids since before we were married and now I stay with their kids when they go out of town.  Twin 10 yr old girls Allison and Brittany, a 5 yr old Caitlin and twin boys about 2 months younger than Cooper, Dillan and Zach.  Crazy Crazy Crazy week. 

Needless to say, I am glad to be home.....for a day.

Tomorrow we leave for Corvallis, OR for the Willamette Classic Tourney at OSU through Sunday.  This time Jake and Cooper are coming along for the trip! I am very excited that they get to come with me and spend Mother's day all together.  

Matt and Nicole are back in town for some work for Matt.  Aubree gets to come and play today while Kris and Nicole drive to Idaho Falls for a teaching interview for Nicole!! Cross your fingers for her! In the meantime, we hope that the work keeps coming for Matt here so that they can stay for a while.  Cooper sure loves his cousin Aubree and I sure love having Nicole around.