Memorial Day

I know this is WAY late, but I want to post about our family's tradition for Memorial day, just for my record. My grandpa Jojola died 7 years ago in 2003. He was an amazing man and I truly looked up to him. He taught us by example how valuable education is and put an emphasis on doing well in school. We were always excited when we got our report cards because we could take them to grandpa and show them off. He always expressed how proud he was of us and our accomplishments. I miss him greatly and I wish so much that he was still here for my children to know and love. I take comfort in knowing that one day we will be able to be with him again and that my kids will know and love him as much as I do.

Every Memorial Day we go to the cemetary and clean up his gravesite as a family. It was really neat this year because Sadie is old enough to comprehend what we're doing and that we're cleaning up grandpa's stone and decorating it because we love him. She didn't get to know him here on earth but I know that she knew him before this life so to watch her participate and help clean and put her little windmill next to "grandpa" was a neat experience. Claire was all smiles as usual, even sitting on top of the headstone. It's amazing to me the added happiness that children bring into families, we are supposed to teach and guide them, but we have so much to learn from them. I am so thankful for my family and for the gospel in my life and the knowledge that I have that I CAN be with my family for eternity and that death is not the end. I know that we will see my grandpa again and that he isn't gone forever and am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with such an amazing family. Sadie bug helping decorate with Grandma while Uncle Eric looks on...
Claire-bear and her Great-Grandma Jojola Claire with Grandpa Taylor The two munchkins Our happy little angel! The "David's" (my hubby and my dad!)

The whole family...almost (We missed you Lisa & Mitchell and Brian, Rachel, Sam, & Kenzie!)