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Whoever can get all the answers right gets a free ride to view my blog. Oh wait... it's free already. Dang! I guess just viewing my blog is reward enough.

Back in 1997-98 when I was pregnant with Sarah, Steve's Mom was having health problems and didn't know why. She went through all sorts of tests and finally about two weeks before Sarah was born, they found out what it was.

It was devastating to find out that not only was it cancer, but stomach cancer. This particular type is difficult to cure unless it is found in an early stage (before it has begun to spread). Unfortunately, because early stomach cancer causes few symptoms, the disease is usually advanced when the diagnosis is made.

With the diagnosis, they gave Steve's Mom five years. A week later they gave her a year, and then not long after that they said it could be at any time.

She always wished for a granddaughter. Her wish was granted when Sarah was born. She then passed away exactly one month, minus one day after Sarah was born. It was a very bittersweet time for us welcoming a precious little one into our home and at the same time, having to say goodbye to Steve's Mom. Having Sarah when we did provided that extra little cushion to soften the blow of losing Steve's Mom, not that it was easy. Not in the slightest bit. We wish she hadn't left us so soon, but Heavenly Father always has his reasons.

(this was in December 1997, three months before Sarah was born. Steve, Me, Mom (Marge) and Reginald R. Rutherford)

With the recent death of Steve's aunt and my grandma, a nice cushion has been provided. My niece had her first baby today making my sister a GRANDMA! and my Momma a GREAT GRANDMA!

Congrats GRANNY GARRETT!!! aka: Debbie 8-)

Welcome
Such a sweet widdow baby!!! Can't wait to kiss on her!

Congratulations Brittany and Jake! Ya done good. She's beautiful!!!

This pic was texted to me. I'll post better pics once they send some along.

Also, later on when I got home and checked my e mail, my cousin spilled the beans about their new little one! Yay! Don'tcha just love babies?!
Congratulations Hunter Family!!!! She's a beauty as well 8-)

Here's the info they e mailed me:

Reta Olsen Fyffe 3/22/1923 ~ 11/15/2009 With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and beloved friend. On Sunday, November 15, 2009, Reta Olsen Fyffe, 86, returned home to her Heavenly Father. She was born March 22, 1923 to Harvey Joseph Olsen and Marie Larsen Olsen, in College Ward, Logan Utah. She had many fond memories of her childhood and was excited to show everyone where she had grown up. After moving to Salt Lake City, she married Edgar Bigler, and later divorced. She had two sons, Douglas Bigler and Marlin Bigler. To support her boys, she worked in the Church Genealogical Department. She later married William Fyffe and had one additional son, Ronald Fyffe. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Primary president, counselor, secretary, and teacher. She was a ward librarian for 18 years and also worked in family extraction for 20 years. One of her most special memories was going to the temple and having her son Marlin and his wife Cindy bring her through the veil. She was a constant caregiver, working tirelessly taking care of family members and friends. Survived by son Marlin and his wife Cindy, daughter Sandra, 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grand children, sisters Clara Barlow, Caroll Orton, brothers Doyle Olsen and Jerry Olsen. Preceded in death by husband William Fyffe, sons Douglas Bigler, Ronald Fyffe and Donald Fyffe, brothers Joseph Olsen and Russell Olsen. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. in the Mountain View 2nd Ward, 1400 South 1900 East, Salt Lake City. Friends may call on Friday at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 South 200 East, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and also prior to services at the ward from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com

My friend Jenny tagged me and I'm happy to pass along my entry. Wouldn't it be fun to be the winner of these fabulous prizes?

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

Your turn! I'm tagging (and make it good!):

Kaitlyn F.

Sarah G.

Steven G.

Emilee F.

Monica A.

LaRee H.

Kristi R.

Jessie C.

Kelli O.

Marilee T.

Apreal B.

If you want to enter, go here: TodaysMama

if not, just complete the tag!!

When it rains it pours!

The weekend before last, Steve's Aunt Marian was hospitalized and diagnosed with colon cancer. The following Wednesday (almost a week ago) she passed away from a massive heart attack.

Just this last Saturday my Grandma was hospitalized from suffering from a massive stroke. She passed away the following day.
My heart has been heavy from the double whammy, yet I know that some day we will meet again. The last time I visited with Grandma was back in June 2009 when I was visiting in Utah for my niece's wedding. Never did the thought cross my mind that it would be my last person to person visit with her. Sure, she had her days of feeling tired and not feeling up to par, but that's what happens as you get older. This was such a sudden thing, as was Aunt Marian's. With Aunt Marian, Pops had just spoken to her on the phone the day before she died and was saying how chipper she sounded. He never would have thought she'd be gone so soon. We were expecting a long, drawn-out process of cancer treatments. I suppose it was a blessing that she left so soon after her diagnosis so she wouldn't have to suffer.
I'm truly grateful for all the fun memories I've had with my Grandma. She was always loving toward me and I admired her devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She always had herbal remedy tips in those times of need. She took very good care of herself in that way. I think she also struggled a lot emotionally. She lost two of her sons and my grandpa died just two years ago. I'm sure she's having an amazing reunion right now.
I will miss her. Love you Grandma Reta!!!
(Grandma and Duncan)

With wanting to preserve some of the funny/naughty/cute things that Apollo says/does, I thought a new blog was in order for JUST THAT. Therefore, let me introduce to you,

"Mommy, Don't Eat Me!"

I'm sure you can figure out why I gave it the name. For those of you who don't have/don't remember what it's like having a two-year old who is utterly irresistable, let me explain. They are YUMMY! At least mine is. See?

 Woopsie Poopsie! Fooled ya didn't I?

Let me refresh your memory:

I kiss on him all day long. I'm sure he gets tired of it but I have to. It's my motherly duty. And for the record he has, on occasion, said just that, "Mommy, don't eat me!" I know that somewhere down the road he's going to protest, and then no more. Until then, he'll have to suffer.

I'm still trying to figure out the in's and out's of the template I picked out for his blog. I LOVE the template but there's some quirks that aren't panning out. Like there's no DATE! Hello??? If I can't get it figured out then I'll have to change the template. Oh well... We'll see. Do check it out: "Mommy, Don't Eat Me!"

Also, if you look to the right of this post, you'll find that it's under "Family."
Leave a comment and let me know what you think. 8-)

I ended up adding some other elements alongside the label and had it blown up to a 1'x3' and put it in a frame as their wedding gift.

Secondly I made some up (since it was already fresh on my mind) for my friends' son's birthday. What kid wouldn't want to get some personalized labels that housed delicious soda pop inside?
On top of that I decided to make a t-shirt that resembled the label and spoke of Noah. He was excited to wear it to school the next day.
This is what I came up with: