January 2016

Nelson and Gene drove to the cabin to check on it and sent me this lovely picture of all the snow.

Nelson bought me a new dishwasher. He took a lot of time researching it even though he was very sick. Sometimes we would go to a store and have to leave because he couldn't walk around. This dishwasher was the last thing he fixed at this house. The last thing he did for me, and I have been on my own to take care of the house ever since. I really miss his help.

Nelson booked us a cruise. He spent a lot of time researching it and got his passport. We never got to go. It was for the middle of February.

Coleman asleep on the couch.

Coleman's first day of Primary. He was in nursery almost an extra year thanks to his January birthday.

 

Coleman is always getting into my stuff.

Coleman asleep during dinner.

Nolan enjoying cottage cheese.

 

Grandma Elena slept over on the couch and Coleman squished in next to her.

Nelson helping to finish the downstairs bathroom. He never had the energy to help so when he did I was always surprised. He loved projects and I was grateful when he felt good enough to help.

Many people were donating their time to come help finish the basement. This was the shower during painting.

Coleman trying out the closet.

Nelson painting. He'd lost quite of bit of weight compared to his normal size.

 

Evy and Nelson sleeping in the lazy boy. He lived in those pajamas he's wearing. He wore that thermal shirt and his sweat pants when he would come home from work. This is where Nelson sat during the day since he was so tired after work. He could still rest but participate in what the family was doing.

Coleman likes to watch the bakers decorate cakes at the Lee's bakery.

Many of my neighbors came to help me paint the basement.

Klea was the person in charge since she's the pro at painting. Nelson always liked to do the painting so I never got good at it.

Nolan sitting up and entertaining all of us as usual.

Look at his cow lick.

9 months old! Nelson passed away before Nolan hit 10 months old. I will always wish he got to know his father better.

 

Breakfast at Herm's. Nelson rarely would eat much so I was glad when he could. He got really nauseated during this meal and I anticipated that, so he was so grateful when I gave him an anti-nausea med I had in my purse.

Evy being lovely.

My aunts and uncles came to visit since Jill and Scott were here from Virginia. My uncle Scott told Nelson he thought he looked pretty good.

Nolan

Nelson went to work and I threw Coleman a birthday party by myself. I really regret this. Nelson should have stayed. If we only knew. I did feel bad the whole party because I was worried I would be doing parties on my own the rest of my life. I wish he would have taken off work. This has been a big life lesson for me. To make events like these really important and be involved. Nelson's motive was to keep his job. He was always very involved.

Light sabers

Maggie and Winston gave Coleman Star Wars Mr. Potato Heads.

My kids loved the light up Star Wars balloons.

I always break out my pin the nose on Olaf game.

Jace, Coleman, Maverick.

Coleman was pretty rude to me that day. He locked me out of the house. It was a tough day overall. He had a fun party though. He turned 4 that year.

 

Jace, Coleman, Maverick.

Evy and Coleman getting ready for the piñata I hung on the rafters of the basement.

He chose a butterfly piñata. Who knows why.

Candy candy

 

Coleman opening presents

Evy, Analise, Jace, Maverick, Coleman and Preslee

 

Nolan making a big mess with movies.

Coleman playing with his new Star Wars play-doh set.

Coleman

Nolan discovering the bath tub.

Nolan and I watching Coleman in his tumbling class.

Coleman asleep

Neighbors helping with the basement.

My bishop plowing my driveway for me.

My friends took me swimming at Crystal Hot Springs and to dinner to help me relax. I regret this as well because Nelson was very sick and no one knew it yet. This was his last Saturday alive and I left him with the kids and my mom. I would have stayed with him had I known. I came home and he was really dizzy. His cancer had officially moved to his spinal fluid and it was causing him meningitis like symptoms. When I got home I spent the evening talking to a bunch of on-call physicians deciding what to do. I ended up taking him back to the ER for the last time the next day.

Jessica, Stephanie and Maggie