Here Piggie Piggie

Gabby has swine flu.

Seriously.

What's that about Him not giving us more than we can handle?

I'm good now.
Thanks.

Pre Halloweenie

Tonight we decided it was time for our kidlets to have some fun. It has been a sucktastic week for all of us and we needed an outlet. With everything that has happened we hadn't even thought of carving our pumpkins. We were actually supposed to do it on Monday night for FHE with my daddy-o, but ...well...

So, tonight we decided it was time. We were blessed again with good friends and neighbors bringing us a scrumptious dinner. We ate happily and spoke of good times with our Poppie.
After dinner we had some friends over to do a little pumpkin' carvin' and paintin'.
We had a fun time. My oldest boy and I carved a pumpkin for my Dad and it is probably my favorite one.
I still can't believe he won't be coming over tomorrow. It still breaks my heart when the reality of it sinks in.

Halloween is quickly becoming my least favorite day of the year. I am not in the mood to celebrate it, or be festive, or be spooky. I want to sit in my room and miss my Dad. I have 5 smiling eager little bodies who make that impossible. I'm blessed to have them. The distraction is needed sometimes.

Anyway, here is our little pumpkin family in two photos! They take up the whole front porch, but I Love it!!




The pumpkin on the far right is Poppie's pumpkin. We grew it in our garden this year and he had already laid claim on it. I think it turned out beautifully.


Bug and Her Daddy. She's a "Beautiful Spider Witch Princess".
She called it. :)

Blessings.

There is no question that this past week has been the most painful time in my life. I have lost loved ones before, but nothing compares to the loss of my daddy. I have struggled much this week, but I have been blessed and buoyed up by countless friends and family.
We go through our lives and worry so much about our own little homes, that we sometimes forget about what goes on in others' little homes. We have so much to do, so many places to be, so much so much so much. I, at least, am guilty of this.
This week, however, our friends and family have not concerned themselves with only what has been going on in their worlds, but also in ours.
We have received some swift kicks in our humility hineys. Cary and I don't like to ask for help. We pretty much do things on our own, always.
This week, however, there was no way that we could manage alone. We haven't really asked for help, but we have certainly received it. Let me rephrase that, we have not *had* to ask for help. We have been very grateful recipients. There is no way that we can possibly thank everyone who has helped us this week. I have no words that adequately describe our gratitude.
We have an amazing ward family. They have shown their love for us over and over this week. Each time humbling Cary and I a bit more.
We have amazing friends. They have taken our kids to parties, taken care of them, picked them up from school, took them to classes, the list goes on; and all of this so that Cary and I can deal with what is going on.
We have an amazing family. I do not consider Cary's side as my *in-laws*. There is no boundary, there is no divide. They are my family. Mum, Dad, brothers, and sisters. I love them deeply and am grateful for them.
I have a testimony of tithing. I KNOW that when we faithfully pay our tithing, ungrudgingly, we ARE blessed. Cary and I have had tithing blessings more than I can count. I know our Heavenly Father keeps his promises to us. I know that does *not* give us more than we can bear, even though we feel like we can't bear any more. He is there for us. He loves us. Families are eternal. I know that is true. I love my husband. He IS a pillar of strength. I am grateful he is a worthy Melchizadech Priesthood holder. Our family is blessed because of his faithfulness. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my family. I know the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is True.

My Dad.

Marshall Edward Mumford was born December 14, 1955 to Mildred Ozella Singleton and Charlie Mumford in Malvern, Arkansas. He grew up in Malvern and was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Mace Singleton and Lessie Jane Singleton. He loved them dearly and missed them every day.

Marshall joined the United States Marine Corps in early 1976 and served honorably until October 1977. He was a proud veteran and admired other veterans for their service.

After leaving the Corps, he married Rhonda Stephens and together they had one daughter, Amanda. Marshall moved his family to Hot Springs where he began his career as an automotive technician. He went to many schools and trained very hard. He soon became an ASE certified Master Technician and was given many honors for his hard work and vast knowledge of vehicles.
Marshall was charismatic and charming, and had a way about him that put people at ease. He dealt with people honestly and honorably, and people would seek him out.

Marshall moved to Utah to be closer to his daughter and her family. Utah became his home, but he loved and missed the Ozark Mountains, and hunting in those woods.

He became a very proud grandpa of two beautiful girls in September, 2009. He was very loved by them and will be sorely missed.

Marshall gave of himself. He worked hard to provide a good life for his family and succeeded beautifully. He was a humble man with a larger-than-life presence. He was not perfect, no mortal man is, but he was a good man with an amazing heart.

He was preceeded in death by his brothers Franklin, T.T., and James Russell, and by one sister, Ganeesa. He loved his siblings and enjoyed reminiscing with them and about them.

He is survived by his wife Melanie, his brother, Rex Mays, of Kathleen, Georgia. He is also survived by his daughter Amanda and her husband Cary, whom he loved as a son, and five grandchildren, as well as many, many nieces and nephews.



I love my Dad. I miss him so very much. I wish that he was still here with me. I know that he is in a better place, but how I long to hear him laugh again.


We love you Poppie. We miss you. We will never forget you.

Sadness

I have been trying to summon the courage to write this post for a few days now. I feel like writing is my outlet and most of the time it helps me to feel better. I am hoping this is one of those times.
We have been really blessed the past couple of weeks. We have been able to adopt, bless our girls with their new names, and seal them to us for time and eternity.

This past weekend, however, my life came to a screeching halt as it turned upside down and inside out.
We had court on Thursday for our foster children. I'm not able to discuss what happened there, but I can say that we have to wait a while to find anything more out about the case.

My dad was watching the kids for me. He took them all to jiu jitsu class, for the boys, and I picked them up from him there. I was upset with him for some stupid reasons and that was the last time I saw my Dad. I growled him and that will haunt me for the rest of this life I'm afraid. I did, however, call him later and apologize for losing my temper and told him a couple of times how much I loved him. That, I hope, will bring me some comfort one day. He was only trying to help me out, which I did realize. He always did that, always tried to help me. Always finding a way to aggravate me, always loving me.
Sunday I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong. I called him several times and nothing. I finally summoned the courage to go over to his place to make sure he was OK. I knocked. nothing. I called. nothing. I could hear his phone ringing, it was eerie. I banged on the door again. I called out his name. Nothing.
I knew something was wrong. The door was dead bolted and I couldn't get in. I called Cary and started crying. I knew.
Cary is my rock. Cary is one of the most amazing people I have ever known in my life. He told me to come home and stay with the kids and he would check on things there. He took a wad of keys and some screwdrivers, just in case. He got there and went to the door. I think he said a little prayer and reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. The Key. He put it in the lock and *click*, it opened. He walked up the stairs and found my dad lying peacefully on his bed. He tried to wake him, but couldn't. He called 911 and the officers and ambulance came right away. Cary also called Mum and Dad and they came straight over. I knew as soon as they got here that the worst thing I had feared had come true. I knew Cary would call them to help me through this. He was stuck there with the officers and couldn't come home.
I hid in my room. Crying, praying, pleading, it was too much to bear.
Cary was finally able to come home and we just held each other, sobbing. The rest has kind of been a blur. I wish I could say I have been stoic! a pillar of strength! That would be Cary. He has handled everything beautifully. He has held me, loved me, allowed me to just sit and cry. He has been there for our kids.

The medical examiner did an autopsy and determined that my dad passed away of a heart attack in his sleep. He went peacefully with no pain. A gentle mercy of our Heavenly Father.

My boys have strengthened me. The girls have made me laugh. Bug prays that her Poppie will come back from Heaven. I will make sure that she never forgets him or how much he loves her. I will make sure of that with all of my kids.
I have lost so much, and so have they.
My Dad was not a member of my church. However, I think after he catches up with all of his loved ones, he will find *his* missionaries. We will do his temple work and one day I will be sealed to him. Families can be together Forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I know this is true. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves my dad.
He took him home, so that he won't suffer anymore in this mortal existence. My dad is surrounded by loved ones now and I hope he can feel my love too. I believe he can.

We are trying to sort everything out now. I should say that Cary is doing mostly all of it. My dad left no will, no insurance policy, we weren't prepared for this.

We will get through this. I don't know how right now, but I know Heavenly Father will help us.
I have a testimony. I know I will see my Dad again. I believe in the Plan of Salvation. I love my Dad. I love my Cary. I love my children. I love my family. I am grateful for an amazing ward and an equally amazing Bishopric. Especially Steve Anderton, a faithful servant of Heavenly Father.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A total Daddy-ism

I am working on a post currently, but I have yet to finish it. There is a lot that I want to say in it, and I have been putting it off. Life is busy, I had something in my eye, you know how it goes....I have a ton of excuses. :)
A.n.y.w.a.y.

I had to share this because I laughed my guts out at dinner.
Today was a particularly stressful day. Thursdays usually are in our little house as we are all still recovering from Wednesdays. All the kids were crabtastic as was their mummy. Actually, I might have been a wee bit beyond crabby. But, just a wee bit.
We sat down for dinner and we had all mellowed somewhat. The boys sucked theirs down pretty quickly and spaghetti nights usually go fast anyway. The boys asked for seconds and we told them it was fine, but they had to share. Our 9 year old, who is my comic relief most of the time, went to the stove and suddnely we heard...."UUUGGGGHHHHH!!"
Cary; "what is it?"
Boy: "There is barely any left in there!"
Cary: "Well then you both get Half of barely!!"
*silence*

Me: "Sputter sputter laugh laugh ' cant. breathe.

MY Husband. Totally keeps me sane and happy. I love him more than he realizes.