I used a new-to-me photographer for Andrew's 1 year photos, and I'm in LOVE! Jennifer of J.Lyn Fotos is freaking amazing, reasonably priced, laid-back, and the FASTEST turnaround time in the history of ever. (Heads-up, her business Facebook doesn't have anything from this year posted. She basically just puts teasers up on her personal page. Both are linked.) She does all sorts of photos, but I'd seen thousands of cake smashes of hers and opted to message her. She's a freaking cake smash pro, guys! Seriously, I can't sing her praises highly enough. Anyway, here are some shots from Andrew's session.

The viewing for Grandpa Hadfield was Sunday, February 21st at their church building. We met early to help set things up and for the grandkids to rehearse the song medley we were going to sing for the funeral. Brian and Melody graciously opened their home if anyone needed a break or needed somewhere else to take their kids for both the viewing and funeral. The also provided dinner for the family on Sunday. Those Hadfields sure make for an awesome family :D

Grandpa's kids sure did an amazing job with the display. It was definitely apparent Grandpa's many skills, talents, and passions. He lived a full life.


The funeral was Monday, February 22nd. We started with another viewing. We just hung out while the siblings greeted people. Then we moved to the chapel for the service. It was rather eventful. Grandma wasn't doing so well. We actually called 911 and they took Grandma to make sure she was okay. Mostly the stress of everything and then not eating well took its toll on her body. She was okay, though.



After the funeral, we headed to the cemetery to lay Grandpa to rest. It is also the cemetery where Matt's stillborn brother, Joshua, is buried, so we visited his grave as well.


After a lot of family and such a tender time, we wanted to still keep our family close. What turned into a couple siblings over for pie turned into the whole family joining us for dinner, pie, and FHE Monday night as well. It was good to hang out with them all a little more, even though it wasn't anything "special" per se. Hanging out with family is what makes anything special. 

We had tickets to go to the Provo City Center Temple open house on February 20th. We were going with Jason and Camile. We were supposed to go through the 3:15pm tour, but that did not happen. Holy people, Batman! It was like 4:15pm or so I think by the time we went through. Fortunately, my kids were pretty well-behaved. At least during all that waiting, we got to watch a fun little movie on Aunt Camile's phone....that told us we're getting another cousin! Woot!

It was fun to tell Henlie about our experiences with the old Tabernacle. I also loved the elements they were able to save and reincorporate into the new temple. Going just three days after we lost Grandpa was especially poignant as we could talk to Henlie about sealings, being a forever family, and the Plan of Salvation on a very applicable level.



Fun story in relation to this awesome teaching moment. As we were leaving the temple grounds, we were talking about how one day, Grandpa will be resurrected and will live again and the same will happen to us after we have died. It's been a little too long for me to remember the entire exchange, but Henlie said, "That's weird." haha I just told her, "Welcome to being a Mormon. We're a little weird." :) It is true, though. Compared to the rest of the world, we're a little weird. But that's okay :)


I'm so grateful for the temple and the opportunities we have to be together as families for eternity. I am grateful for a loving Savior who provided the atonement for us so we can have a means of returning to our Heavenly Father and our families again. I am so grateful for my family and the strength, support, and love they give. We truly are blessed to have so many temples around us here in Utah. Thankfully, the rest of the world continues to get more and more temples closer to them as well.  The Gospel is true and we have a Father in Heaven who loves us very, very much. Our big brother, Jesus, truly did come to earth to provide the ultimate example and offer Himself as sacrifice to atone for our sorrows, pains, afflictions, and sins. I don't partake of His gift like I should, but I know as we try to do better each day and repent when we fall, He will have grace sufficient for us all.

On Monday, February 15th, we were able to take the kids up to Murray to say goodbye to Grandpa Hadfield. Being Monday, it was Family Home Evening. Larry and Carrie were taking Jennifer back to school in Ephraim and had sung the Family Night song in the car and suggested someone sing it to Grandpa. Since we were heading up for family night and Kevin and Karrie's family were heading over for their family night, we both said we'd sing it to him. 

We talked with Henlie a bit on the drive up about what was happening and what was going to come in the near future. She was pleasant for most of the drive. I told Matt I'd never been in this situation before, knowing someone is going to die and having a chance to say goodbye. When my mom died, it was unexpected. I've known of others dying, but no one I was close to. I was emotional and a bit anxious as we headed to the hospital.

We got there at the same time as Kevin and Karrie, so we all headed up together. Melody was just passing the torch to Laurie, so we chatted with them a bit. Grandpa was napping, but Kevin woke him and we all went in to visit for a bit. By this point, Henlie (who probably had fallen asleep in the car, but I don't remember, really), did not want to be there. She didn't want to sing to Grandpa (even though she knows the song). She was having a rough time and Matt had to take her for a walk once or twice because she was throwing fits.

I'm really glad Kevin and Karrie were there at the same time. I didn't have to speak :) We visited a bit and then I told Grandpa it was Monday night. He said, "What are ya gonna do about it?" I asked if we could sing the Family Night song, so we all sang. Sort of. It's hard to sing while crying. It was a special time. After we sang, Grandpa bore his testimony. He said, "There is a right way to go." He thanked us for coming and reminding him of that.

I think it was Kevin who asked Grandpa if there was anything we could do for him. He told us what we know he had told others who'd asked the same (thanks, GroupMe!). He told us to be happy. Love one another, and be kind to each other. 


We took some pictures with Grandpa and then headed home. Turns out we parked right next to Kevin and Karrie :) We chatted and then got in our respective cars. The difference in feeling was stark. Going up, I was so sad and anxious. Heading home, knowing that was the last time we'd see Grandpa alive, I felt peace. It was an interesting feeling. 


I'm so grateful things worked out so we could visit with him on Monday. If they hadn't moved him until Tuesday, we wouldn't have been able to go up until evening, if at all. And, as mentioned in the previous post, we wouldn't have been able to interact with him really. It was a very tender mercy that we were still able to go up Monday. 

Grandpa's influence will be felt for the rest of our lives. And as we sing the Family Night song every week, we will carry a bit of him with us and into future generations. We love you, Grandpa.