When you feel like you are alone... You are Not, As sisters in zion

I have pondered on how exactly to write this piece as it is so emotional. A beautiful baby boy by the name of Atticus passed away in his sleep this past July of 2013. He was only three months old when this sweet spirit was taken back up to live with his heavenly father. (https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation) I dont think anyone can ever imagine losing their sweet little one at three months old, but this family did.  

From what I know.. One of his siblings went to check on him in his sleep and to their dismay he was not breathing. As the ambulance came it was beyond their control Atticus had all ready passed away. The heart break that his mom went through a long with many other trials the year of 2013 were almost unbearable I am sure, but this incredible woman kept enduring. She is the person who if you are having a bad day will bring YOU flowers despite how she is feeling. The kind of mom who is a rock for her three other kids. The kind of person you would think... why would this happen to her?? But I know why.. She is incredible enough to handle it and not many other people are.

A few days ago would have been Atticus' First Birthday. Can you even imagine the pain of not getting to celebrate the birthday of your child?? The heart break and the whole in her heart?? Well, this is where the story becomes humbling.. where you see just how amazing this woman is.... I recieved an email that went as follows....


Dear Sisters of the Harvest Hills 7th Ward,
 
                      As some of you may know, this Tuesday, February 25th would have been Atticus Cox's first birthday. At the beginning of this month, I knew I needed to do something, but unsure of what would be meaningful and appropriate, I spent some serious time on my knees and at the temple. I made a decision, and after talking to a few people and tweeking it a bit, was able to come up with a plan that we can all be a part of. 
 
                      If you are able to attend, we will be meeting at the Stake Center parking lot on Tuesday morning between 9:15-9:20. I will have the same color of balloons that we released at his funeral in July, and will hand those out. We will offer a prayer, and then have a SILENT walk to and from the Cox home. Upon our arrival, I will text LaNae Call who will be inside with Jen, and she will bring her to the window. It is critical that this be a silent, reverant, and spiritual event, as this will be an extremely difficult day for their family. Jen will be able to look outside and see our love and support for her, without having to be on the spot to respond. I don't want her to feel like she needs to "put on a brave face"... but I do want her to know that WE REMEMBER. After seeing them at the window we can each offer a silent prayer for their family, and let our balloons go. We will then walk silently back to the Stake Center. 
 
                     I really hope that each of you can make it... and ask that you please not talk about this with Jen or with your children as they may slip and tell her children at school, who may in turn tell her. We want this to be a surprise! We as sisters in the gospel, are asked to carry one another's burdens, and although we can't take away the pain that this day will surely hold for her and her family, we can definitely help her to feel of our love, and that of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The following morning we gathered... and the turnout was incredible... busy moms who had work or kids or "other" things to do all took their time to come and support this family, this mom, this beautiful spirit. We all walked silently to her house as tears of empathy fell and when we got to her house as she peered out the window we all said a prayer in our hearts for their family and let the balloons fly high in the sky...

These ladies are INCREDIBLE. When you think that you are alone. Think again. God ALWAYS has a plan for you and to help ease your burden. These amazing friends and neighbors and "sisters" of mine helped fulfill one of those plans that day... even though tears were shed and hearts still ached the thing that conquered all that day was LOVE.. Love for Jen ( the mom), Love for Atticus, Love for our Heavenly Father, and Love for eachother.

As sisters in Zion We'll All work together.

Lyrics

1. 1. As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
   The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
   We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
   We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.
2. 2. The errand of angels is given to women;
   And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
   To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
   To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
3. 3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
   If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
   Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
   Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

 

My name is Olaf and I like warm hugs

Have you seen Frozen yet? Do you have kids?? It is a MUST SEE. I think this is one of Disney's bests. cute characters, incredible songs, and not to mention I laughed at least 30 times through out the entire thing. Disney has done it again. I wish I could be clever enough to create a fantastical musical to captivate audiences of all ages.. but for now I will just enjoy them from the side lines.. and by now I mean always.

Look how cute this little snowman is? how can you not love him all ready?

Well my main reason for this post is I ran across a video that includes the Award winning song, "Let it go" and I loved watching it.. this lady is seriously incredibly talented and if you love musicals.. you will be impressed at all of her impersonations of actresses such as kristin chenowith, Julie Andrews, and many more.. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

xoxo

My Cysters!!!

I have had such a fun time finding new friends who have Cystic Fibrosis. When you meet new friends its like an instant connection. You know almost to a T what their days are like.. Medicine, breathing treatments, sinus infections, good days, bad days, all of the above!!! We are all fighting a similar battle but let me tell you.. THESE GIRLS ARE AMAZING!! There is so much negativity in this world.. " I cant do it" " I will never be able to.." well let me show you some people who CAN, WILL, and DO live their lives to the fullest every day despite a disease that seems to want to do the opposite...

(sorry I had to use Instagram Pics)

Meet Somer Love

I met her a little over two years ago and what a blessing she has been!! Somer is 34 years strong and is a HUGE supporter of Cystic Fibrosis. In the little time I have known her all i have seen is her being there for other people and her positive support. Never once have I heard her complain. She takes better care of herself than anyone I have ever met because she LOVES her life. Somer completed her first 5k this year and for CFers thats huge!!! having a small lung capacity and still working hard enough to do a 5k? Dedication at its finest.. never will you EVER meet a more loving, caring, and hard working individual!! BOWS to my som !! :)

Next meet Natalie Rudd 21. She is DARLING. And my same age and I never even knew about her untill a few days ago!! Crazy because she likes ALL the same things as me.. piano, fitness, missionaries, and having fun!! Her sister who also has Cystic Fibrosis and her just finished their first triathalon.. are you kidding me??... those are some tough girls! But always have a smile. You see .. with Cystic Fibrosis.. every day you hurt in some way.. or dont feel good.. you literally are sick 365 days of the year.. So living life on top of that is a triumph.. let alone a triathalon..

Tell me that these girls are not the cutest sisters and "Cysters" ever???

Next is my Little Cys Drae!! She is 4 years old and couldnt possibly be any cuter. I mean Look at her... When you are little.. growing up with Cystic Fibrosis can be rough... doctors instead of teachers... nurses instead of friends.. and hospitalizations instead of play dates... YIKES!! except here is the thing... those doctors become your heros.. nurses your best friends.. and hospitalizations make you care more about your life and other peoples lives than people who arent sick ever could. Being a four year old with CF and fighting every day.. Drae.. You are stronger than you will ever know.. and cuter too!!

Next is Lucy Casper.. Who is in the hospital as we speak.. She lives in London and is in Med school.. how awesome is that??? 20 years ago people who had Cystic Fibrosis only lived till their late twenties if that... and now are living longer and stronger than ever!! Lucy is an incredible person to put up such a fight.. I admire her so much and look up to her for striving to acheive such an incredible goal.. 

Continuing on is Caleigh.. She is currently on the list for a double lung transplant and is sooo positive about every second of it.. Almost constantly attatched to her oxygen tank this girl is so full of life and SO ready to get some new lungs so she can keep on living life to its fullest.. To support her there is a fundraiser website called www.fight2breathe.org and you can donate to her getting a new set of lungs!! Keep on fighting girl!!

last but not least... Astra Lauren Waller. Astra will always be my Cyster.. the first one I ever had. She helped me transition from my childrens hospital to the adult center.. I was so afraid because The doctors I had known my whole life were all of the sudden not going to be my doctors anymore.. but she helped me feel confident and loved!! Astra passed away a little over two years ago but still continues to influence many peoples lives today.. She was on the Bingham Minerette state drill team several years in a row despite serious lung infections and kept dancing through the pain. Astra had SOOO many people who loved her and it was because she LOVED so many people and lived life to its fullest.. You dont have to have a disease to appreciate every day of your life and everyone in it.. ALWays remember that. RIP to our sweet cyster Stra... 

Thank you for all being so incredible and for being my Cysters!! keep fighting, living,loving and most importantly BREATHING

xoxo

Minds

The Office and Valentines Day

Before luke and I were married we attempted to make our version of "The Office" I totally forgot about it but for valentines day he made me this sweet video and put clips from our video in there. YES there are embarrasing parts and yes we are nerdy but thats just how we are!! I love my boy!! Thanks for an awesome Valentines day gift

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqJQK8rVVdc