Something Better

In September I got this crazy idea that I could do my own school pictures and actually sell them. I still may do it but this was basically my little experiment with Aria. Nothing ever came of it, but it may yet still. One lucky thing is that I ended up with these cute little pictures of her.

I started learning how to give Hazel a haircut. I still have work to do, but she's so cute no matter what happens to her. So lucky to have #hazelmae this September. She kept me company when I needed her most. Even though she wasn't everything, she helped. #hazelhelps

We finished the wall in Evie's room and hung her curtains. It's still pretty much like this 6 months later, but I have plans. Big plans. :) I love the way it turned out.

Pretty sure I'm the luckiest gal at church. #mynewpeeps #theygavememeasles #isharedsomechocolate #wehelpedourfriendstoday #werefilledthepapertowels #evieproject #takingturns #sharing #candyland #igetendlesshugsandkissesfromallofthem #jesuswantsmeforasunbeam #freshstart #oneofthemshouted "selfie!" #haha #lovethem

Nate dealt with his grief by painting and building. Mostly our walls. Now I just need to get him making plans for the shelves in our closet. I love little Hazel in this picture.

We had a fun little adventure to the beach on labor day. Beach days are so fun, but they're even better with friends. We have really started to make some good friends here and I'm so glad for it.

I prayed every day since Evie's death that my kids would get good teachers. If God expected my children to be away from me during the day, they had better be with someone who could love them like I do.

This was the month I really started in hard with the Evieproject. It still is evolving and it wasn't public at first, but I have felt so blessed in the way that people lifted me that I felt this incredible desire to pay it forward. I started with taking flowers to people. Here's the story:
My friend had a near drowning experience with her son last weekend. She turned her back for two seconds... His floaties came off, and the next thing she knew her daughter was bringing him to the side of the pool, he was blue. She never imagined having to do chest compressions on her 2 year old. They stayed overnight in the hospital and thankfully everything is OK. But she seemed pretty shaken by it so I thought she could use a little gift from #evielaree #everybodylovesflowers #doingitforevie On the way to her house I couldn't help but feel so grateful. Everytime I see those streaks of light in the sky I think that she's watching down on me right then. It brings me great comfort to think of her light that way. If it's true then I just got a picture of all three of my kids. #theyareagift #lilmissaria #myjeffyboy When I came to the door she returned my flowers with a necklace for me, for Eve. I mentioned that I liked the one she had for herself and asked her where she got it. She told me cheerfully. Turns out she went ahead and ordered it for me anyway and wrapped it in a beautiful box. #sograteful #soblessed #evieproject

I went away for a little getaway with my siblings. I needed a reason to come see my family. I was missing them a lot dealing with such a loss and being so far away.
Gavin Degraw and Andy Grammer concert with Wrabel opening #musicianshaveallthecrazies #buttheseoneshavegoodvibescrazies #happilymarried #radmallgirlsweekend #andjared #ourbodyguard #quads #thecomplexslc #andyhadthebettershow #ilikegavinssongsbetterstill

So my kids and my husband took care of things at home.

"I know that in my weakness I am strong, but
It’s your love that brings me home 
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call

Wearing the bracelets I haven't stopped wearing since her death.

"Maybe it's all part of finding
Our heaven
Even if it breaks your heart
Even if it tears your world apart
Still you keep holding on
If something's worth saving
All of our hopes and fears
They may get tangled but love's sincere
So we keep holding on
To something worth saving"
Love this new one by#gavindegraw #somethingworthsaving #standingroomonly #musicfeedsthesoul

Glad the rain finally cleared enough to brave a hike in the mountains. But luckily it left a beautiful coating of snow at the top of the mountains. #theparentsdestination #steepclimb #bellscanyonfalls #makeitbackforthebyugame? #whoops #puzzlepictureperfect

I found the mountains so so healing and the fresh air invigorating. I was a little out of shape for this little hike but I'm so glad we did it. I never regret getting to the top.

Thanks to the guy who passed us with the GPS, we got motivated to make it all the way up the mountain to see these pretty falls. #lowerfalls #gorgeous #itfeltlikeupperfalls #outhikedbythepregnantone #girlsweekend #jaredisthebodyguard #ilovethemountains

It really was so so beautiful.
"You can have what you want, or you can have something better." - Jeffrey R. Holland
#ourhardshipshaveeternalpurpose #littlecottonwoodcanyon #tendermercies #evielaree #donaldlhallstrom #nofilter