Happy Birthday Joy

It's been nine months since we said goodbye to our Joy. As her third birthday approached, we wanted to celebrate but I didn't want to throw a princess party with her missing. It just didn't feel right. We went to the cemetery and everyone got to write Joy a message on a balloon that we would send to heaven for her to read.



Then the kids got to open a present from Joy. Here is what the note to the girls said:

I wanted you to have these necklaces. I thought it was perfect that sisters could be best friends forever. Whenever you wear these necklaces, I want you to think of me and remember that we are a family forever. We need to always make good choices and obey the commandments so we can be together again. I am near you often and I love to see my family being happy, serving others, and being kind, nice and good. I love you so much. Love Joy

To the boy, I got you this watch so you will remember that it is always time to obey Heavenly Father. I love you. Joy


It was a beautiful day. Thank you to those who sent flowers, cards and gifts. My friends showed up on Friday morning and said the gift they were giving me for Joy's birthday was a clean house. I feel so blessed. I'm grateful to all of our family and friends that worked to make the day special.

My sister and her daughter

My sister and I have been pregnant together 3 times.
The third time produced these two darlings. 2 months apart. Same school year. Destined to be best buddies just like me and her mom were all growing up. Ha Ha. When my sister got word about Joy, she left her family, jumped on an airplane and spent the week by my side. She was my personal secretary and I loved it. I know she had feelings of guilt and questioned why this happened to Joy and not her daughter or even someone else.

This last week she and her kids have been visiting. We have had so much fun.
Although I was haunted by her little girl this week, it was comforting too. When she sang high school musical and camp rock songs, I knew that Joy, also, would have known every word. When she ran down my hallway and I heard the pitter patter of little toddler legs, I realized that I missed that sound. I felt a little sad that My Sister's Daughter wouldn't even remember that she had a girl cousin her age. It was great to be near her and see how she's changed and grown since I saw her in the summer. I only wished they lived closer. Thanks for hanging out with me. We had a great time.

Dressed in White

Sunday morning arrived much too quickly for all the partying I've been doing with my sister in town. #3 really wanted to wear her baptism dress. She talked #2 and #1 into wearing their dresses too. #1 couldn't believe that hers still fit four years later. I sat there in church and I looked down the row at my beautiful daughters all dressed in white. I thought about Joy and how the last time I saw her she was dressed in white. We picked a dress that had some pink accents. It was the perfect dress.
I thought about her blessing day, the only other time she was dressed in white. I thought about how I would miss seeing her in her baptism dress and her wedding dress.
I thought about her now dressed in white in the Spirit World fulfilling her assignments. Hoping that she was also sitting on the row with us that day in church.