Early One Morning

Three years ago, very early in the morning, his spirit took flight.
I pray our love reaches you, sweet Jordan, wherever you are. Over the rainbow, swinging on a star, perched on a cloud, no matter where you are, I hope you feel it constantly with you. I can report that things are better than they have been here. You know many good things have happened over the last few months, and more are in the works. I just want you to know that physically present or not, you are always a part of what we do. Did you watch the balloons we released floating up, up, up to you near the end of March? Did you see the video tribute of your life that Missy put together? And your lilacs that we planted in the backyard, they're almost ready to blossom! We love having lots of reminders of you all around us!
I haven't slept tonight, just as I didn't sleep that night three years ago. When I went to bed, this particular song kept running through my mind, so I came down to find it on YouTube. Here it is, a song I learned when I was taking voice lessons, the year before you were born, I think. This is a more melancholy arrangement than the one I learned, and the pathos I hear in the instrumental accompaniment, more than in the lyrics, makes a fitting soundtrack for these quiet hours of remembering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcCfAfDWAug
So good night now, my son. I'll see you some bright morning to come.

Denver Weekend

We're back from a cool weekend getaway, and we're feeling pretty blessed. Since Neil's and {Penny's lost church records were located, with the assistance of my FL brother-in-law, Bishop Dwain Saxon, their ward has welcomed them with open arms, helped them with the baby twins, and been an all-round support to them. I believe the ward played a role in making it possible for us to witness Neil giving each of the babies a name and a blessing on Sunday, May 1st. McKay and McKenna are chubby, healthy four-month-olds now, and they couldn't be any sweetter or cuter! Holding them seemed to bring heaven a little bit closer. And having representatives from both the Reynolds and Washburn families there for this long hoped for and dreamed of family occasion, did too. It feels good to be unified with them at such an important time. I hope that we're able to assemble with them again for additional blessings.

We had a great stay with Greg and the children, Tori, Juli, and Christian. We shared stories, prayers, fun, games, movies, another Easter egg hunt, and thoughts on the resurrection, a picnic following the babies' blessings, a meal at Cafe Rio, and lots of hugs and laughter. Oh,, we didn't eglect work either. The children helped pick up their clothes and toys, looked for missing shoes, swept the kitchen, and Juli was very eager to help Dan and me make orange-glazed bunny rolls. She's only six, but she is serious about wanting to learn to cook. She says she wishes we lived really close, so that she could come over every week and help cook. :P The rolls were well received, but I made them yesterday again, when I found out that Rick and JoLyn were on their way for a short visit, and they turned out even better. Greg's flour may have been a little out of date or something, because yesterday's batch not only tasted better, but it was also softer and fluffier. I wish I could share pics of the folks, the food and the fun with you, but I can't. Here's the recipe for the yummy bunnies though. Just remember to use butter instead of shortening, and that this recipe makes about 24 bunnies, not the 12 it claims to make. If you try it and get 30 or more, we'll know that the bunnies are just over populating.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Orange-Glazed-Bunny-Rolls