A Tribute to Dad

I thought it fitting to pay tribute to my great husband. We will celebrate our 37th anniversary in 10 days. We've had plenty of bumps in our road of marriage, but we've had one another to rely on. He is the rock of our family. He's always set a good example, but mostly he has helped us all solve our problems. Families naturally face many obstacles, but with Bud, he helps us work the problem and find the best course to take. I appreciate him more and more with the passing years. I love watching him in his role as grandparent. Yes, he gives the grandkids more drinks of soda than he should, and he isn't always careful about what is on the TV when they are around, but he plays hard with them and they adore him. He has changed many more diapers as a grandparent than he ever did as a parent. He has always honored his priesthood, and been there as our spiritual advisor. I look forward to the coming years, as we have much more to accomplish. He is my best friend and confidant.

 
Grandpa and Hannah training for circus stunts.
 













Grandpa and the Father's Day crowd.
 
Please feel free to add you own comments about the leader of our clan.

These photos were left off the previous post.

 
 
 

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"Thank You" Isn't Enough!

The outpouring of love and concern extended to our family during this time of sorrow is too much for words. Grieving becomes nearly impossible, when you are buoyed by others. Each of my children has played an integral part of support during this whole process. They've each done what they do best - exactly the right thing, at the right time. As the days unfold, we realize just how many miracles, and tender mercies the Lord has manifested in our lives. That we got to have Gianna for 2 days was a miracle.
Her memorial service was perfect. The music was tender, the words comforting and the setting idyllic. As we sang the final verse of the Primary song "Where Love Is" we felt a cool breeze waft through us and knew Gianna had soared. Where love is, there God is also. And with Him we want to be. Show us the way and guide us tenderly that we may dwell with Him eternally.
I found a poem for Emily, which was put to music for the memorial service. It describes her feelings.

My Butterfly

I long to feel the soft weight of you
To welcome you home with kisses
On silky round cheeks.
Instead my arms ache with the
Weight of your absence,
The empty places that were meant for you
To grow into.
My love for you will last an eternity
My hopes and dreams now carried
On the fragile wings of each butterfly
passing
Compelling me to pause,
To savor each moment,
Each flutter in my heart-
Your wings.

Kimberly de Montbrun

Thanks to Megan for the beautiful photos. My favorite is the one of some of the grandkids playing on a nearby headstone. As you can see, my almost 88 & 89 yr old parents were there to bid farewell to their 51st (I think?) great-grandchild.


 
 
 
 

We are sad!

 
This will be a difficult post, but I know some of you want to hear about our experience with an angel. Gianna Rae Lyon, our 22nd grandchild came to us on Thursday. She was 10 weeks early and she had a multitude of physical disabilities. She remained with us for 2 days when her mommy and daddy decided to take her off the ventilator and let her go peacefully. We were able to spend about an hour with her before she passed, and got to hold her and kiss her and cherish her. Emily is home from the hospital now, and recuperating at our house. She and Aaron have been so brave, but they are truly feeling the loss of their little girl. Emily's in-laws are at her house holding down the fort with the boys. She will go home in a couple of days when she is stronger and more fit to be around her beautiful little boys. We will have a simple memorial service for Gianna on Thursday.
We are so grateful for this precious little angel, and it was hard to let her go. We are confidant she is in our Savior's loving care now. We are also grateful for the many prayers and outpouring of love and support from friends and family. Megan will put together a pictorial montage in the coming days.
We prayed for a miracle, and we didn't get the one we hoped for, but the Lord gave us many other miracles, as He extended his hand in tender mercies to make the passing bearable.

My Name Game Meme

Sara had this on her blog, so I decided to copy it and post. Come join the fun!

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Sugar Sienna
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mint Chip Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
L Stu
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Red Puppy
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) –
Louise Santa Monica
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
StuLa
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Taupe Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Gilbert James
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names )
Strachan Pierce
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Slutski Sacramento
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Fall Gardenia
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y
Apple Jammies
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Granola Bar Redwood
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour")
The Quilting Rain Storm

Sprinkler Fun

Today was our first warm day, so the Lyon kids had some fun in the sprinkler grandpa bought. I am posting this so Emily can see her kids, since she is having a spa day/week at Sutter Memorial Hospital.

 
Of course, Weezer had to get in on the action. She thinks the new sprinkler is just for her. Kelman laughed pretty hard at her biting the water.

 
The twins were skeptical at first, but once they realized they could squirt one another, they had a great time. They were good and worn out for naptime.

 

A BLESSED WEEKEND

We had one fine weekend in Phoenix. It is always wise to visit Arizona before June and after September!! The weather was wonderful. Lacey's blessing was sweet and it was so nice to see Micah & Sarah in action in their ward.









We had a blast with Jackson. He is one cool dude. Grandma even got to sneak in a swim. I never met a pool I didn't like.









We capped the visit off meeting up with Jessica and Bon. Jessica and I caught up on family stuff and Bon chatted computer stuff with Micah. Jackson was a model citizen in restaurant behavior. Pei Wei was tasteeee. We thought it appropriate to have Chinese on Cinco De Mayo!