A Life of Charity

Moppy and Missing Flights

Before flying home we got to spend a couple short days with Moppy and Poppy up north.

Moppy bought Hattie (and her other grandchildren, when they come to visit) a bike!

We also went to see the tulips! I did not appreciate these growing up. They meant lots of extra traffic! But now I love to go see them.

Windy!

Hattie fell asleep on the way over and was way bummed that she missed the flowers. We'll have to go again!

I also found this! A drawing of me my mom did when I was ~12.

Hattie loves Moppy's tub! With the jets you can get an insane amount of bubbles.

Then it was time to fly home.......we missed our flight! So we spent a few extra hours in the airport. It wasn't bad actually. We'd been so busy the past few days running here and there, and then we were super stressed about getting to the airport and through security. It was nice to relax. We sat down and ate some lunch (we wouldn't have had any otherwise!) and then went to the kid's play area.

One little girl led this group of kids in some yoga to help them relax! It was super cute and hilarious.

Farewell Washington! We love and miss you!

Easter

Easter, the one holiday we got to spend with Henry. I was happy to be out of town and not in charge of anything! I spent an hour or so by myself in the morning, remembering Henry and our savior who makes it possible for me to be with my family forever.

Hattie was spoiled! She got to hunt Easter eggs at Jeanette, Jana, and Oma's houses! And got a couple Easter baskets to take home. We needed a spare bag to fly home with- thankfully Mom had borrowed one from the Roth's on her return trip (she had just been in Utah for Henry's birthday) so we brought it home.

At Jeanette's

At Oma and Opa's with her cousins:

We dyed eggs too! The Biehls are weird and actually enjoy hard boiled eggs!

Thank you everyone spending Easter with us! We wish we had been there for different reasons, but we loved spending time with family.

Gasworks

The day after Gram's funeral, the whole family gathered for lunch at Ivar's and then down the road to Gaswork's Park.

Hattie and William enjoyed looking out at the water from the restaurant:

Gasworks Park! I didn't know this place existed until I moved to Seattle. I love Gasworks- reminds me of my college days!

Kurt and I at the top of the hill looking down at Hattie and Sofia:

Kurt, Hattie, Sofia, and the gasworks.

Cousins!

Most of the group playing whiffle ball. Adults vs. kids.

Kurt loved pitching and Hattie loved helping her dad.

Such a good dad! Running to 1st base together.

Gram's Funeral

We were fortunate that Gram's funeral was the week before Kurt's spring break from Student Teaching. We got to spend several days in Washington, mainly with Kurt's family, celebrating a wonderful lady! I've only known Gram for the past 7 years, but I've learned from that amount of time that she is a special lady. She is one of, if not the, kindest people I have ever met. With every interaction you could just tell how much she loved you, loved me! Her most recent grand-child-in-law, and I was convinced I was her favorite.

The great-grandkids practicing to sing at Gram's funeral.

Kurt and all the grandchildren were able to speak for a couple minutes each about their memories of Gram. Kurt also felt incredibly honored to dedicate Gram's grave.

The great-grandchildren.

The grandchildren,

and spouses

It was a beautiful day to celebrate a beautiful woman! I echo Kurt's cousin, when she said "I hope to grow up to be like Gram".

We love you Gram! Give Henry a hug and kiss from his parents.

Henry's Birthday

The Sunday before Henry's birthday I decided we would all wear blue, and elephants if possible, in honor of Henry. Last minute we decided to extend the invitation to our family to do the same. I was touched by our parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. By their readiness and willingness to participate, to honor our little son.

I wore my elephant necklace and Hattie wore Henry's sweater.

March 15, 2016. What a day. I had a very different idea of what that day would be like just a year previous. Instead of anxiously anticipating it, I couldn't wait for Henry's birthday to pass. I knew it would be a difficult day and in preparation, I invited my mom out to be with us. We went up to Iona so we could visit his grave and Megan and the girls came too.

Unsurprisingly, it was a difficult day, yet surprisingly tender. Kurt and I went to the Rexburg Temple the morning of Henry's birthday. The temple is the one place I feel whole. I feel at peace and like things will be ok. I feel that Henry is near. Kurt was very strongly impressed while at the temple that Henry's birthday should be a day of celebration. A day to remember our perfect, beautiful son and cherish him. I agreed and that's what we planned to do for the rest of the day.

However, upon leaving the temple, Kurt read an email from his mother. We learned that Gram was not doing well. They expected her to live only a couple more days.

While preparing to go to the cemetery, Kurt got the call. Gram had passed away. On Henry's birthday. It wasn't a complete shock, but it was so surprising that of all the days in the year, Gram passed on Henry's birthday. We don't think it was an accident. I think Gram wanted to wish Henry a happy birthday face to face. I know he was there to welcome her to the other side.

Gram and Henry met less than a week before he passed away. Here's the only picture we have of them together, taken by my sister in law at Luke's baptism.

We proceeded to the cemetery where it was freezing. A cold wind was blowing, but we weren't deterred. The girls sent balloons up to Henry and we blew bubbles.

I'm glad we are able to visit this peaceful little cemetery. Henry has a beautiful place to rest, and it's not too far from his parents! This has been so incredibly difficult, for lack of a better description, but one thing is for certain: We love Henry Biehl!